Tag: Goa

Latest StoriesRegulatory

SC Issues Notice on Ramodaya Housing Project in Mormugao

PANAJI: The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the town and country planning department and the Mormugao planning and development authority regarding a petition challenging the permissions granted for the Ramodaya Cooperative Housing Society project in Mormugao. The SC bench, consisting of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, has directed all parties to maintain the status quo concerning the possession and construction of the disputed property. Swapnesh Sherlekar approached the SC after the Bombay High Court dismissed his petition last year, which contested the development permissions and alleged significant hill cutting for the project. Sherlekar is challenging the inaction…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

SC Issues Notice to Goa Gov, Developer Over Siolim Villas

PANAJI: The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Goa government and a project developer regarding a special leave petition (SLP) that contests a Bombay High Court ruling, which dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) against the construction of eight luxury villas with private swimming pools in Oxel, Siolim. The notices must be returned by April 13. Petitioner Suraj Chodankar raised concerns that the project lies within 34.5 meters of the Oxel spring—a 363-year-old perennial water source vital for residents. The High Court based its decision on a hydrogeological report from the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), which indicated that…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Goa: 50% Land Conversions Under Planning Act in 5 Villages

Representative AI image PANAJI: Over 530 hectares (53 lakh sqm) of land have been designated for settlement under Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, as per the compiled data on all proposals approved across the state. This significant reclassification, primarily from agricultural and natural lands to settlement areas, demonstrates that a measure intended for minor adjustments has evolved into a methodical erosion of Goa’s ecological integrity. Notably, over 51% of the land converted under Section 39A is concentrated in just five villages, highlighting a pronounced geographic development pressure. The data clearly indicates that most of this…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Goa Plans STP Mandate for All Complexes with 24 Flats

PANAJI: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has reached out to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department advocating for the implementation of its directive mandating that all residential complexes with 24 or more flats install sewage treatment plants (STPs). In correspondence with the chief town planner, GSPCB emphasized that builders are responsible for maintaining the STP for a duration of three years or until the complex is transferred to the housing society. As per the Goa Land Development and Buildings Regulations, 2010, STPs are currently only required for complexes with 50 or more flats. If units are linked…

IndustryLatest Stories

Isprava Buys 2 Acres in South Goa for Luxury Homes

Representative image MUMBAI: Luxury second-home developer Isprava has acquired over 2 acres in Verna, South Goa, with plans to invest approximately ₹85 crore in an ultra-luxury residential project, responding to the growing demand for low-density holiday homes beyond North Goa. The Mumbai-based firm, backed by notable investors including Dabur’s Burman family, Nadir Godrej, and Anand Piramal’s family offices, aims to create a limited number of residences on the newly acquired land through its investment vehicles. The planned investment includes costs for both land acquisition and development. “The timing to enter South Goa is ideal. North Goa has matured significantly over…

IndustryLatest Stories

Goa Achieves 25% Completion of Land Records Update

Representative AI image PANAJI: Despite initial resistance from some communities, the state government has successfully completed approximately 25% of the work needed to update land records and issue urban property cards (UrPro) to landowners. Concerns arose that the survey could affect certain village areas slated for municipal inclusion and might lead to the confiscation of properties owned by individuals residing abroad or those with no legal heirs. A senior official indicated that the government aims to complete the survey by the end of February, but if it remains unfinished, they will seek additional time from the authorities. The Goa (National…

Latest StoriesResidential

Mapusa Homebuyers File Cheating Complaint Against Two Developers

PANAJI: Nine homebuyers have filed a complaint with the Mapusa police against two real estate developers, accusing them of fraud and failing to deliver flats despite receiving full payment nearly ten years ago. The buyers had booked apartments in the ‘Sai Ishwari’ residential-cum-commercial project, which was initiated in 2015 at Karaswada, Bardez. The project included 17 apartments, with sales agreements finalized at the Mapusa sub-registrar’s office. The agreements stipulated that the construction would be completed and possessions delivered by 2019. The complainants contend that despite numerous follow-ups via meetings and phone calls regarding construction delays, they were met with repetitious…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

NGT Penalizes Goa CZMA in Sand Mining Violations

Representative AI image PANAJI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a Rs 50,000 penalty on the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) for repeatedly requesting extensions to file replies in ongoing sand mining cases. The tribunal highlighted that GCZMA had been allowed four weeks to submit its response but failed to do so, even after a reminder in August of last year. “We are granting one week’s time for them to file their affidavit, contingent on the payment of Rs 50,000 to the National Green Tribunal Bar Association, Western Zone Bench, considering that 12 matters had to be postponed…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

HC Appoints Officers to Assess Illegal Structures in Goa

PANAJI: The High Court has appointed two nodal officers—the Deputy Director of Municipal Administration and the Extension Officer of the Directorate of Panchayats—to review reports from municipalities and panchayats concerning illegal structures throughout Goa. The appointed officers are tasked with analyzing these reports to ensure compliance with the court’s orders regarding illegal constructions. “The volume of compliance reports from panchayats and municipalities was substantial, prompting the court to seek recommendations for government officers capable of analyzing them. We proposed the Deputy Director of Municipal Administration to assess reports from the CCP and municipalities, and the Extension Officer from the Directorate…

Latest StoriesResidential

Goa CM: Government to Decide on Cuncolim Housing Project

PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Tuesday that the government has not yet made a decision regarding the housing board project on land in Panzorconi within the Cuncolim constituency. He assured that all stakeholders will be consulted before any project is initiated. In a zero-hour mention during the assembly, Opposition leader Yuri Alemao expressed concerns about the revival of the proposal to establish a housing board project at Charam Moddi, Panzorconi. He pointed out that although the land was acquired in the 1990s, the project was shelved due to local opposition. Alemao stated, “This project could significantly disrupt the…