Panaji: Vijai Sardesai has strongly criticized the functioning of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department, stating that it should be renamed the “Goa Zone Change and Technical Clearance Department” in view of the large number of land-use conversions taking place in the State.

Addressing the issue based on replies to Legislative Assembly questions, Sardesai said that a total of 12,78,384 sq. metres of land has undergone zone conversion in Goa. Of this, the talukas of Tiswadi, Pernem and Bardez alone account for more than 60 per cent of all conversions.

He pointed out that despite such large-scale conversions, the government has admitted that no assessment has been conducted to evaluate the impact on infrastructure capacity, road networks, drainage systems, groundwater recharge or environmental sustainability.

Sardesai further noted that when asked whether the government could identify any locality in Goa developed in accordance with integrated urban planning standards—including proper housing layout, road hierarchy, walkability, public transport access, climate resilience and environmental sustainability—the department was unable to point to a single such example.

Referring to another reply tabled in the Assembly, Sardesai said the TCP Department has already converted 58,063 sq. metres of Zuari land in Sancoale village in Mormugao taluka, while an additional 7,99,517 sq. metres of land is currently in the pipeline for processing.

He alleged that even though the government is aware of rising pollution, traffic congestion and unplanned urbanisation in areas like Sancoale, no corrective measures are being taken. According to the department’s reply, approvals are being granted in compliance with the TCP Act and Building Regulations.

However, in another Legislative Assembly question, the Minister stated that the department does consider factors such as environmental impact, biodiversity, wildlife, water availability, power supply, road infrastructure and demographic factors before granting approvals for land conversions and mega projects.

Calling the situation contradictory, Sardesai said the data exposed how Section 39A of the TCP Act has become a tool for large-scale zone changes.

The Goa Forward Party President therefore demanded the immediate scrapping of Section 39A, stating that it has effectively become a “licence for unplanned destruction” in the State.

Sardesai said that more than 127.8 hectares of land has been converted without any environmental impact assessment, strengthening the demand from civil society and activists to remove the controversial provision from the TCP Act.