Views sought on Mapusa, Panaji land use maps

Panaji: The North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA) on Friday put up the land use map for Mapusa and the land use register for the Mapusa planning area for public scrutiny. The NGPDA has invited suggestions and objections from citizens within 30 days, said authorities.

In a similar manner, the Greater Panaji Planning and Development Authority has issued a public notice regarding the preparation of the land use map and land use register for the Panaji planning area.

Objections and suggestions have to be conveyed in writing within 30 days.

“GPPDA will hear all persons concerned who submit their objections and suggestions in writing,” said an official.

In June 2019, the state government has directed NGPDA to revise the Mapusa and Panaji outline development plans (ODP) by preparing a land use map and register for both. Subsequently, in September 2019, Panaji MLA Atanasio Monserrate was appointed as GPPDA chairman, while St Andre constituency MLA Francis Silveira as chairman of NGPDA.

The ODPs for Panaji and Mapusa were prepared in 2016, but at that time NGPDA chose not to prepare a land use map and register, which is one of the main reasons for starting the ODP process afresh, said TCP officials.

Since then, authorities have tried to map every structure, whether residential, commercial, government and even some utilities to ensure that land utilisation is clearly depicted in the ODP. The planning body has also identified encroachments on government and private land.

Incidentally, the town and country planning board, which met a week ago, had accepted the draft ODPs for Arpora-Nagoa-Parra planning area and the Bambolim planning area.