Panaji: The town and country planning (TCP) department has issued yet another set of corrections in the Regional Plan under Section 39A of the TCP Act, proposing the conversion of more than 25,000sqm of land. Spread across Bardez, Pernem, Salcete, and Bicholim, the land parcels are currently classified as natural cover, orchard land, and no-development-slope areas.The latest notification includes nine proposals cleared by the TCP board on April 21. The proposals have now been opened for public objections and suggestions for a period of 30 days.The single-largest proposal involves Mumbai-based KGL Realtors Pvt Ltd, which has sought conversion of 18,733sqm of land at Salvador do Mundo in Bardez from natural cover to settlement zone. The TCP board recommended the proposal, stating that the land falls within permissible gradient limits, subject to comments from the forest department.Another major set of proposals concerns two adjoining properties at Morjim in Pernem linked to IRAP Infra LLP. Together, the two proposals seek conversion of 9,750sqm of land from orchard and orchard-with-no-development-slope categories into settlement zones.In survey number 13/11-B, the firm has sought conversion of 4,900sqm from a total plot area of 9,851sqm. In adjoining survey number 13/11-A, another 4,850sqm has been proposed for conversion from a total area of 9,722sqm. Portions classified as no-development-slope land are also included in both applications, with the TCP board stating that the conversion falls within “permissible gradient” norms and would require forest department comments.At Curtorim, three separate applications seek conversion of 850sqm of natural cover land into settlement zones. In Benaulim, 300sqm of orchard land has been proposed for conversion. In Mayem, Bicholim, a 300sqm plot classified as natural cover with no-development slope has been recommended for conversion to settlement zone, again subject to forest department comments.
