May 13: In a significant development, the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department, North Goa District Office, has officially withdrawn the Technical Clearance Order granted for a proposed residential development project at Salvador do Mundo village in Bardez taluka. The order, issued by the Office of the Senior Town Planner under reference No. TPB/3208/SDM/TCP-2026/4864 dated May 5, 2026, pertains to the “Proposed Construction of Residential House (Revised) and Construction of Staff Quarters, Swimming Pool & Compound Wall” at Survey No. 292/1-L-7 of Salvador do Mundo. The TCP department stated that the original technical clearance granted on February 3, 2023, was based on “past commitment” provisions under the Regional Plan 2001. However, the department noted that several complaints had been received against the project, following which a show-cause notice was issued questioning why the technical clearance should not be revoked. According to the order, although the earlier show-cause notice dated August 14, 2024, was discharged after the respondent submitted a reply citing past commitment, the department later received communication from V & R Advocates & Associates along with a Supreme Court order. The communication reportedly stated that the respondent had undertaken before the Supreme Court of India that development on the property bearing Survey No. 292/1-L-7 would be restricted only to the portion falling within the Settlement Zone under Regional Plan 2021. “In view of the above, the Technical Clearance Order granted considering past commitment is hereby withdrawn,” the order issued by Deputy Town Planner Zaidev R. Aldonkar stated. The order has been addressed to Mr. Tarun R. Tahiliani, linked to the project, with copies marked to the Salvador do Mundo Panchayat and V & R Advocates & Associates. The development is expected to reignite debates surrounding land use, settlement zones, and controversial construction permissions being granted under “past commitment” clauses in Goa.