Goemkarponn desk
Panaji: On a day of hectic development, the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA) finally issued a show-cause notice to Bhutani Infra following concerns raised by Goans, particularly the people of Sancoale, regarding the project.
TCP Minister Rane stated, “The permissions for this project were granted before my tenure as TCP Minister. However, in response to the concerns and agitation expressed by the people of Sancoale and Goa, I instructed the Member Secretary to issue the show cause notice based on the representations we have received.”
The TCP Department has instructed the MPDA to conduct a thorough verification of all details related to the representations concerning the Bhutani Project. Appropriate action will be taken following the inquiry, which may include the revocation of permissions granted to the project.
Additionally, the Minister clarified that no hill-cutting permissions have been granted to Bhutani Infra by the TCP Department to date.
The notices came after Rane said he had asked for verification of approvals for the Bhutani project at Sancoale.
Hours later Chief Minister Dr Pramof Sawant said he had directed TCP Minister to revoke permissions if there are any violations.
“I don’t want projects against people’s wishes. Have asked the TCP Minister to revoke permission if there is any violation,” he said to the media.
CM says projects of such magnitude must come for CM’s approval in future.
WHAT THE SHOW CAUSE NOTICE SAYS
WHEREAS, this Authority has issued Development Permission vide
Order No. MPDA/7-P-165/2023-24/1254 dated 02/02/2024 based on the approval obtained from the Government vide Note No. 28/1-7/PDA/ Section 44/Permission/Meeting-2/TCP/2023/321 dated 25/01/2024 under Section 44 of TCP Act 1974 for the proposed construction of a multi family dwelling, Villas Type
A, B and swimming pools in the property bearing Sy. No. 257/1 of Sancoale
village, Mormugao Taluka.
AND WHEREAS this office is in receipt of the following complaints:
1) Complaint dated 07/03/2024 from Mr Narayan D. Naik via e-mail,
which mentions as under (copy enclosed):
a) Strong objection on the issue of construction license to M/s Parmesh Construction Co. Ltd. Sy. No. 257/1 of Village Sancoale.
b) Project is illegally proposed on 6.00 mts. vide sub-division road.
c) The mega project is proposed without 10.00 mts. wide road.
d) No proper infrastructure is available for the existing residence.
e) Environment and Forest NOC is not submitted.
2) Complaint dated 01/06/2024 from MLA Shri Antonio Vas alongwith the representation of the locals, which mentions as under (copy enclosed):
a) Alleged illegal mega project coming up in property bearing Sy. No.
257/1 of Sancoale village.
b) Alleged that the area was identified as a private forest by the Araujo Committee and the same area is illegally converted into C1.
c) 10.00 mts. road is not available for the project.
d) The local MLA visited the site alongwith the residents and observed that massive tree felling is done in the said property without any
permission from the Forest Department.
e) Severe water, electricity and sewage problems will be faced by the Village of Sancoale and the Cortalim Constituency at large.
f) The flora and fauna would be destroyed.
g) Requested to look into the matter at the earliest and take necessary
action.
h) A letter addressed to the Local MLA dated 17/06/2024 signed by several residents supporting representation from the Villagers, which
mainly states as under:
i) The property has forest with a dense tree canopy and is eco-sensitive comprising of abundance of forestic species of trees with natural green cover.
ii) Property is zoned as C1 although the same if not in Municipal area.
3) Complaint dated 10/04/2024 from Mr. Peter D’souza, which mainly states as under (copy enclosed):
a) Property is zoned as C1 although the same is not in the Municipal Area.
b) Property bearing C1 zone needs to have a 10.00 mts. wide access
road.
c) To have a joint inspection to determine the width of access as the
factual aspects have been misrepresented.
d) Immediate suspension of the Development Permission.
4) Complaint dated 13/09/2024 of Ms. Socorin Marques and Ms. Piedade
D’Mello as forwarded to this office by the Chief Town Planner
(Planning) vide letter dated 19/09/2024, which mainly states as under (copy enclosed):
a) That M/s. Parmesh Constructions Company Limited alias Bhutani Infra has grabbed and encroached upon their property bearing Survey
No. 257/1 forcefully and have built a wall around it inspite of strong opposition by them.
b) That Ms. Socorin Marques and Ms. Piedade D’Mello are the co- owners of the property by virtue of being legal heirs of Late Mr. Francisco Vales.
c) That an area of around 4,000 sq. mtrs. is co-owned by them and M/s. Bhutani Infra does not own the entire area as stated in the Form I &
XIV and it is alleged that M/s. Bhutani Infra does not have documents with them to show their ownership over the entire property under
Survey No. 257/1.
d) That M/s. Bhutani Infra has utilized FAR to the extent of 200% for
the property measuring 35,050m2, which the complainant claims that M/s. Parmesh Constructions Company Limited alias Bhutani
Infra are not entitled to.
From the contents of said complaint dated 13/09/2024, it may be noted
besides the issues referred to above, there are several other issues mentioned in
the complaint, such as Private Forest, etc.
AND WHEREAS it is also seen from the office records that the width of
access shown to the property is only 7.00 mts. and whereas the width actual
required for the development proposed is 10.00 mts. thus the width of the access
as shown to the property is not in compliance with the Goa Land Development
and Building Construction Regulations, 2010 to permit the development as proposed.
Further, as seen from the drawings submitted at the time of the grant of Development Permission under section 44, it is observed that the building project
and the accessibility shown to the buildings within the plot shall require cutting of hilly land i.e. land having a gradient of more than 1:10 as defined in the TCP Act whereas in such instances, prior permission of the Chief Town
Planner(Landuse) need to be obtained, which you have failed to obtain, thereby violating Condition No. 11 of the Development Permission dated 02/02/2024.
Hence you are hereby directed to show cause immediately; within 7 (days) from the receipts of this notice as to why action, namely revocation of the Development Permission issued vide MPDA/7-P-165/2023-24/1254 dated 02/02/2024 shall not be initiated.
Please note that, if no reply is received within 7 (Seven) days from the receipt of this notice, this Authority shall proceed to take further necessary action as deemed fit. Hence take note.
Sd/-
(Sanjay A. Halornekar)
MEMBER SECRETARY
