Staff Reporter
Panaji
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has issued notices to the state government and other parties regarding a zone change in Salvador do Mundo, Bardez.
The petition challenges a notification/order dated March 7, 2024, which altered the zoning of land in Survey No. 292/1-I from a no-development slope to a settlement zone under Section 17(2) of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act. The area was previously marked as a no-development slope in the Regional Plan 2021.
The petition has been filed by Direndra Phadte and others, who argued that the zone change could result in irreversible consequences, including massive hill cutting, as the land is classified as a no-development slope. The High Court has granted ad-interim relief, halting further steps regarding the zoning change until the next hearing.
The petitioners’ counsel raised concerns over discrepancies in survey reports and the utilisation of Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for the no-development slope. The reports indicate part of the property is within the settlement zone, while other portions remain within the no-development slope area. The counsel questioned whether FAR could be applied to the no-development slope section, despite its designation under the Regional Plan 2021.
The High Court has set the matter for further hearing on March 17 and has issued notices to the respondents.
