TCP changes zone of 1 lakh sqm from green land to settlement across Goa

Panaji: The town and country planning (TCP) department cleared a fresh batch of zone change proposals across Goa, recommending the conversion of large tracts of orchard, cultivable land, natural cover, and even parcels on no-development slopes into settlement zones under Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning Act.

Spread over villages in Pernem, Bardez, Tiswadi, and beyond, the approvals issued through two separate notifications cover 98,058sqm of green cover in the state. The TCP received proposals from both individual applicants and major developers such as Sky Sun Real Estate LLP, Gangareddy Infra, Dempo Properties, Adwalpalkar Construction, and Satt Adhar Builders, with several recommendations subject to clearances from the water resources and forest departments.

The TCP gave a 30-day window to file objections.

Adwalpalkar Construction applied for a land conversion for a 17,317sqm plot in Curca. The land included parts that were orchard, natural cover, and on no-development slopes.

The board approved converting orchard and natural cover to settlement, since the slope was suitable for construction, said the TCP.

Similarly, Kibana Assets requested a change in land use in Mandrem. Their land was partly orchard and settlement, with some areas on no-development slopes. The board recommended converting the plot from orchard and no-development slope to settlement, as the slope was within permissible limits.

Satt Adhar Builders proposed to change cultivable land in Corgao, Pernem, partly under irrigation command area and partly on no-development slope, to settlement. The total area involved was 9,600sqm, which was approved for conversion subject to NOCs from the water resources department.

Gangareddy Infra applied for conversion of two plots in Morjim (4,120sqm and 4,090sqm), with both being recommended for conversion.

Other individual proposals included plots located at Soccoro, Salvador-do-Mundo, and Morjim, usually seeking change of zone from natural cover or orchard with no-development slope to settlement. Each proposal was cleared for conversion subject to regulatory scrutiny or reports from the forest department if applicable.

Dempo Properties, in partnership with Alcon Developers, had several plots in Siridao involving orchard, settlement, and natural cover. The land parcels, across roughly 113,305sqm, were given the green light for conversion. Sky Sun Real Estate, Penha de Franca, sought conversion of orchard and settlement land to settlement zone. The TCP’s approval was contingent on a report from the forest department, as portions overlapped with no-development slopes.