Denotifying RP21 would welcome massive constructions: Digambar
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 15 December 2011 00:03 ISTThe denotification of Regional Plan 2021 would lead to reactivate the 2001 plan and open up the activity of massive constructions and settlements in the now-eco sensitive zones.
This was brought to the notice of editors and senior journalists of the state by chief minister Digambar Kamat today.
He met the senior journalists along with the members of the State Level Committee to deliberate upon the RPG21 controversy.
A demand to either scrap or denotify the RPG21 is getting echoed in quite a few villages and especially through the media, after all the talukas were finally being notified by the town and country planning department.
According to Kamat, the RP01 would automatically come into force the minute RP21 is denotified.
The RP01, which was later amended through gazette notifications several times till 2005, provides 100 FAR (Floor Area Ration) in many parts and minimum 80 FAR throughout the tourist state.
On the contrary, the RP21 brings down the FAR to 80 in VP1 category, which further is brought down to only 60 beyond the area of 4000 sq mts.
Most of the coastal area is being brought down to VP2 category, which means the FAR would be 60 and it would be brought down to 50 if the area exceeds 4000 sq mts.
“This whole exercise would be nullified as soon as the RP21 is nullified”, said the chief minister.
In addition, Kamat pointed out that the SLC had removed almost nine crore sq mts of land from the settlement zone of RP01, while categorizing it under Eco 1 and Eco 2 zones, consisting of green areas like forests, mangroves, natural cover, orchard and even paddy fields.
“How could I stop anybody from utilizing this land from conversion if it is legally considered to be notified”, asked Kamat.
While dismissing the demand of scrapping or denotifying the RP21, the chief minister said people should welcome the exercise of correcting all the genuine errors pointed out by the panchayats or individuals by 20 December, a new deadline set for corrective purpose.
Architect Rahul Deshpande, a SLC member while making a detailed presentation of the RP21 features, informed the editors that 80 per cent of the 2900 applications received till 5 December cater to converting green land into settlement.
Internationally acclaimed architect Charles Correa, the vice chairman of the SLC, said the RP21 had not only earmarked the land utilization plan but had also provided direction to the government for sustainable development in the hinterland area.
The inter-state as well as intra-state migration has heavily hit the coastal belt, making it the most congested area of the state.
“Our plans like providing VP1 status to the hinterland, proposing highway through the hinterland, doubling of railway line as well as a new rail line through mining area and new hubs proposed along the highway would provide development of these area, which have otherwise been devastated due to mining”, said Correa.
The meeting was also attended by other SLC members Dean D’Cruz and Bryan Soares as well as chief town planner S T Putturaju and nodal officer Sanjit Rodricks.
If Govt. really want, it can hold new approvals for six months,
in the mean time all irregularities like major serious problems raised by Gram sabhas may be incorporated.
Proposed road only if proposed by Gramsabha should be included.
Roads also should be as proposed by Gramsabhas.
Important land marks must be put in place.
Till that time no approvals under RP 2001 nor 2021.
Shrikant.
Please take all at Digamber says as untruthful and with "a pinch of salt". The Mining scam and, others too, under his watch,were never due to him.He has claimed he is blameless.His video Confrencing is collecting dust.The A/c toilets are slowly becoming museum pieces.He has forgotten to tell the Mining Truck drivers , they should look for a career in the Armed forces,if Mining is banned.The "paperless Courts" are yet another pointless promise.Kamat loves garbage and cannot live without it.The ony thing Kamat has succeeded in doing is to "LOOT" Goa along with his merry men.