Staff Reporter
Panaji
The Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) has alleged that permissions for zone changes and high-rise constructions have been granted in flood-prone areas of Panaji under the ODP, including on government-owned land.
“This is an environmentally criminal act. These should be kept as green zones,” said GBA convener Sabina Martins.
In a press note, GBA criticised Minister Vishwajit Rane for promising ‘green lungs’ as Forest Minister while remaining silent on the concretisation of flood-prone areas as Urban Development Minister. “And as TCP Minister he directly encourages indiscriminate increase in height and FAR regardless of infrastructure or carrying capacity of the area,” the GBA stated.
GBA said it had earlier challenged ODP 2021 and secured a stay, maintaining status quo on ODP 2011. It pointed to an additional safeguard in the form of a flood-prone area notification issued by GCZMA on September 6, 2022.
“Concretisation stops absorption and creates even more run-off, yet the PDA of coastal Panaji city has proceeded to permit development on precisely these areas,” Martins added.
The group referenced a government notification dated September 14, 2022, which prohibits zone changes in flood-prone areas, low-lying paddy fields, khazan lands, forests, and other ecologically sensitive areas.
Three key sites were highlighted: Panjim Park (Quarterdeck), the parking area near the government swimming pool at Campal, and the Foodland plot at Miramar—each marked for high-rise development despite being flood-prone and recreational/open spaces in the 2011 ODP.
“These represent the last public/recreational spaces that touch the waterfront which are vital for the well-being of the residents,” GBA stated.
, urging that these be afforested and retained as public relief zones in keeping with Rane’s ‘Green Mission’.
