Daijiworld Media Network – Calangute
Calangute, Jun 24: In a development that could have far-reaching implications for real estate and development activities in North Goa, the High Court has reportedly barred any further construction based on Outline Development Plan (ODP) approvals issued by the North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA) and the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department. The court order has cast uncertainty over several ongoing and upcoming projects in Calangute, Candolim, Parra, Arpora, and Nagoa.
The decision has come in response to long-standing petitions filed by multiple civic and environmental groups, including the Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) and Goa Foundation, challenging the legality and environmental impact of ODPs in these areas.
Speaking CCF president Premanand Divkar stated, “We are yet to receive the official order, but initial indications suggest that the High Court has ruled against allowing construction under these ODPs. This could be a major breakthrough for activists and local communities who have been opposing the unregulated development for years.”
The Calangute panchayat had initially approached the court in 2016 against the inclusion of the village in the NGPDA planning zone. However, the petition was withdrawn in 2017, following a change in the local body supported by MLA Michael Lobo, who also served as the NGPDA chairman during the period.
After the election of a new panchayat in 2022, the legal battle was reignited. Now, with the High Court’s intervention, the focus has shifted back to the controversial approvals granted during previous years.
Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira confirmed that the panchayat has not yet reviewed the full details of the order but acknowledged that it could significantly alter the developmental trajectory of the region.
For over a decade, local residents and environmentalists have expressed strong objections to the ODPs, citing large-scale land use conversions, including hill slopes and eco-sensitive zones being reclassified for settlement and commercial use.
Many villagers allege that their objections during the public consultation phase were overlooked, allowing unchecked development that threatens the ecological fabric of the region.
“We raised our voices when the ODPs were opened for public feedback, but very few of our concerns were addressed,” said an activist from Arpora.
The Goa Foundation, known for its consistent legal interventions in matters of environmental protection, also filed petitions challenging the ODPs on grounds of non-compliance with ecological norms and lack of public transparency.
The High Court's reported directive is expected to stall construction work in five villages, potentially impacting several residential and commercial projects already underway. Legal experts believe that the order could prompt a statewide review of planning approvals under ODPs and bring accountability to urban planning in Goa.
As stakeholders await a detailed copy of the order, the ruling is being viewed as a victory for grassroots activism and environmental conservation in the state.