Under Sec 39A, TCP moves to convert nearly 70,000sqm to settlement zone

Panaji: The town and country planning (TCP) department has initiated the process to convert nearly 69,300sqm of land across Goa to settlement zone under Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning Act, including a proposal involving land currently classified as a lake and water body in the Regional Plan (RP).Among the applications under consideration is a proposal by Sir Biotech India seeking the conversion of 10,400sqm of land at Davorlim in Salcete taluka. The land is presently designated as a lake and water body in the Regional Plan.According to a notification issued by TCP chief town planner Vertika Dagur, the TCP board has recommended the conversion of 9,400sqm of the land from lake to settlement zone while retaining the remaining area under the water body classification. The proposal is subject to comments from local authorities and the water resources department (WRD).The proposed changes form part of 17 applications through which the TCP is seeking to “correct” zoning classifications in the Regional Plan by invoking provisions under Section 39A of the TCP Act.Separately, the department has proposed the conversion of 25,384sqm of land in Arpora and Parra villages in Bardez taluka and Cola village in Canacona taluka to settlement zone. These parcels are currently classified as orchard, natural cover and no-development zone in the Regional Plan.The latest round of zone conversion proposals comes amid continuing criticism of the TCP’s use of Section 39A for piecemeal land-use changes. Former Allahabad high court chief justice Ferdino Rebello has recently vowed to pursue action against officials and TCP Board members responsible for approving land conversions in the state.