*Goa Bachao Abhiyan* C/o 77, Defence Colony, Alto Porvorim-Goa
[email protected] *4th* *February* *2015* *For Press Release - Gazette loopholes* The GBA rejects unplanned development in that it adds to people's problems, and the gazette notification of 29th January 2015 affects everybody. *20% EXTRA FAR* *1 - Not for the people -* Additional 20% FAR is ill conceived because it was not founded from a planning perspective, and seeks legitimacy outside the Regional Plan processes. Goa has a low birth rate below replaceable level, and it is a fact that many class divisions are being closed down due to less attendance. The rationale for increase in floor area does not emerge from a genuine need, rather a ploy to give legitimacy to the increase in FAR for hoteliers and the popular business of running schools. *2 - No guidelines for traffic/parking/road access -* While singling out 4 and 5 star hotels, the notification does not mention issues like access roads or parking, an issue which is continuously avoided by our over-qualified planners despite obvious signs of traffic deterioration. The stakeholders who have been catered to are a narrow group of mostly business people, but the wider public has been ignored as usual. Social demographics today show that the average vehicle ownership per family has increased, and a higher number of tourists drive to Goa for holiday. Hapless neighbors will now have to bear the brunt of increase in unplanned traffic and fights over parking. *3 - Safety ignored -* In their eagerness to cash in on this, the authorities have not even considered safety as a one of the check points. Many of these constructions will have been built before any such concerns came in. Having seen the Canacona building collapse, the issue of foundation strength and ability to hold 20% more FAR is anyone's guess, so too the accessibility of emergency services such as fire engines in case of emergencies. Which member of the public can place trust in the technical abilities of our TCP when their systems allowed the Canacona construction, and seek to justify this misbegotten notification? *4 - No adequate penalties for violations -* In a shocking 'wink and nod' situation, the penalty for non-compliance of procedures within 2 years is a pitiable 'forfeit of Bank Guarantee'. *Read ANNEXURE-XIII 2viii). *No penalties for violations except a small forfeit of payment is a clear invite for misuse. *This notification not only promises more misery to the public due to non-application of mind, but seeks to regularize illegal extensions with a simple 'Forfeit of Bank Guarantee'. Where is the demolition and deterrent factor for violations?* *CONSTRUCTION ON ECO-ZONES* *1 - Unclear -* While declaring Eco sensitive zones open for 'Structures promoting Agricultural Activities', there is no mention of whether this is possible 'In addition to farmhouses' or 'Exclusive' on every plot of 4000sqm. *2 - No adequate penalties for violations -* With the misuse of farmhouses as holiday homes rampant, what penalty is there for misuse of the 'Mushroom production unit, which may be as large as 30FAR or as much as 1200sqm, and of permanent construction.' *People have seen inaction by the TCP department against rampant illegalities happening on the ground today. Non-inclusion of stiff penalties is official welcome for transgression.* *The government continues to favor a select few with piecemeal solutions of extra FAR, yet ignores public objections to unexplained insertions into the Regional Plan such as Eco Tourism zones and Micro-Industrial Estates. Where will this stop?* The GBA states that all citizens need to be concerned by such ad-hoc planning interference, especially beyond the vision of the Regional Plan. We urge all people to file their objections to the Chief Town Planner of the Department of Town & Country Planning before Feb 28th, citing two key issues - # That the lack of detail guidelines on road access, parking and safety while granting extra FAR is not acceptable from well paid and qualified planners. # The total lack of punitive measures for negligence in both cases of 20% FAR increase as well as the for possible misuse of new constructions allowed on Eco Zones is against the principle of justice, and strict measures need to be coded into the Regulations. Reboni Saha - Secretary Goa Bachao Abhiyan
