Goa Town and Country Planning Department Greenlights Major Land Conversion Proposals
The Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department in Goa has taken significant steps in reshaping the state's land use landscape. In a major development, the department has granted final approval for 20 land conversion proposals under Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning Act. This approval converts a substantial 31,718 square meters of land into settlement zones, marking a pivotal shift in regional development patterns.
Public Scrutiny Opens for Second Batch of Proposals
Simultaneously, the TCP department has initiated public consultation for a second set of 10 proposals, inviting objections from citizens and stakeholders. This move reveals a continuous pipeline of land use changes across Goa, with the combined 30 proposals accounting for approximately 54,430 square meters of land proposed for conversion to settlement zones.
Taluka-Wise Distribution Reveals Development Patterns
A detailed taluka-wise breakdown shows distinct patterns in land conversion activities:
- Pernem Taluka: Leads both in total land converted and size of individual parcels, driven by large-scale proposals in Mandrem and Corgao
- Bardez Taluka: Records the highest number of applications but features largely fragmented, small-scale conversions
- Tiswadi Taluka: Includes a significant 2,508 square meter conversion in Panaji from natural reserve/orchard to settlement
Ecological Sensitivity and Regulatory Compliance
The approvals involve several ecologically sensitive land classifications, including:
- Orchard land with natural cover
- Cultivable land within irrigation command areas
- No-development slope areas
In multiple cases, the TCP notification specifically mandates that secondary development will require clearances from:
- Forest Department
- Water Resources Department
- Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority
TCP Chief Town Planner Vertika Dagur emphasized that "land development and utilisation remains subject to strict compliance with permissions from the water resources department before secondary development" can proceed.
Major Beneficiaries and Development Projects
The biggest single beneficiary granted final approval is Sohum Shah Films Developers in Mandrem, Pernem, where 12,580 square meters of orchard land has been converted to settlement. This includes portions under irrigation command area, highlighting the complex nature of these conversions.
Another significant conversion involves Satt Adhar Builders in the same taluka, securing final approval for 9,600 square meters of cultivable land in Corgao for housing development. The TCP department noted this area is within permissible gradient despite including a No Development slope with irrigation command area.
Detailed Analysis of Conversion Patterns
In Bardez taluka, while individual applications are numerous, they involve significantly smaller parcels. A closer examination reveals that six adjoining plots in Salvador do Mundo alone account for 1,276 square meters, with each proposal ranging between 210 and 214 square meters, indicating a pattern of fragmented development.
Among the fresh proposals now open for public scrutiny, the largest chunk emerges from Bardez, where two adjoining proposals in Calangute alone account for 15,841 square meters of proposed correction in the Regional Plan. These involve transforming natural cover and no-development slope areas into settlement zones, subject to forest clearances.
Additional Proposals Under Consideration
The TCP department is also evaluating several other significant proposals:
- A 5,130 square meter proposal in Siolim seeking to convert a mix of natural cover, irrigation command areas and no-development slopes
- A 6,711 square meter proposal at Chorao for conversion of orchard land, including portions affected by proposed road alignment
- A 6,545 square meter proposal at Cortalim involving orchard land and slopes being opened for development
These proposals indicate continued pressure on ecologically sensitive land parcels in Goa's coastal belt, raising important questions about sustainable development practices.
Legal Considerations and Future Implications
The TCP department has clarified that all these land use changes remain subject to the outcome of ongoing writ petitions before the Bombay High Court. This legal dimension adds another layer of complexity to the conversion process, ensuring that judicial oversight remains part of the regulatory framework.
Dagur confirmed that the final approvals were granted after thorough scrutiny and consideration of objections, demonstrating the department's commitment to due process. The opening of 10 new proposals for public objections continues this transparent approach to land use planning.
This comprehensive land conversion initiative represents a significant moment in Goa's urban and rural development trajectory, balancing growth objectives with environmental considerations and regulatory compliance requirements.
