Tag: Panaji

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Two Extra Years to Regularize Illegal Structures in Goa

PANAJI: The government introduced an amendment to the Goa Regularisation of Unauthorised Construction Act, 2016, on Monday, offering a new two-year timeframe for individuals to apply for the regularisation of unauthorised constructions. This amendment includes cases where unauthorised house constructions have occurred on land owned by comunidade or the government. Such land must have already been regularised by the authorized officer in case of comunidade land, and by the deputy collector for government land. The built-up area limits are revised to allow regularisation up to 500 sqm in panchayat areas and up to 600 sqm in municipal council or Corporation…

Latest StoriesResidential

Goa’s New Guidelines for House Numbers and Repairs

PANAJI: The Urban Development Department has launched new guidelines to simplify the process of issuing bifurcation or separate house numbers for existing homes. These changes aim to alleviate challenges for nuclear families living in the same dwelling who require independent utility connections. In many instances, residents in larger homes have encountered difficulties in securing distinct house numbers, complicating their access to individual water and electricity connections. The bifurcation process is essential for families who wish to live separately within the same house, creating a scenario where different family members, sometimes functioning as independent units, need their own utility services. The…

Latest StoriesResidential

Goa CM Announces Housing Scheme for the Homeless

PORVORIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Monday that the state government will roll out a new housing scheme for the homeless, based on the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana but tailored specifically for Goa. He revealed that two areas of government land in Pernem have been earmarked for the project, where 1BHK flats will be constructed. Sawant stated that issues surrounding housing for the homeless would be addressed within two months, noting that applicants must possess a 30-year resident certificate to qualify. During a calling attention motion, Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral raised the need for a housing scheme for the…

Latest StoriesResidential

Goa to Legalize 1 Lakh Homes Built Before 1972

PANAJI: In a significant move to legalize homes under threat of demolition, the state government issued two circulars on Friday. One was from the revenue department, while the other came from the directorate of panchayat, aimed at legalizing over 100,000 illegal houses constructed on any land before 1972. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant clarified that these circulars don’t confer land ownership rights, but instead legitimize the structures and clarify the land status. “We are legalizing homes. The revenue department will issue a sanad, and the panchayat will confirm its legal status,” he stated. Sawant emphasized that with these circulars, there is…

IndustryLatest Stories

Goa forms expert panel to examine illegal homes on private land

PANAJI: In response to growing concerns regarding unauthorized structures on comunidade land, the government has established a 10-member expert committee to investigate the inappropriate usage and illegal construction of residential houses on non-government land. The committee, led by additional collector Gurudas Desai as the member secretary, will assess the current usage of state land and recommend sustainable land management policies. “The revenue department is keen for experts to examine cases where residential homes have been built on non-government land without ownership rights and to propose relevant legal, policy, or administrative measures for granting ownership and legalizing such properties, considering eligibility…

Latest StoriesResidential

PMAY House Construction in Goa Approaches Completion: Official

Representative Image PANAJI: The Goa government has successfully built 250 out of the 254 houses targeted for eligible beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), an official announced on Thursday. The initiative, designed to provide affordable housing, has been executed at an expenditure of ₹3.4 crore, as stated by the official. According to P.K. Shirodkar, nodal officer responsible for the scheme and director of the District Rural Development Agency, the goal was to construct 254 houses for qualified beneficiaries in the state. “As of now, we have completed 250 houses by strictly adhering to all procedures of this scheme.…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Goa Approves Housing Projects Without Water Access Assessment

Representative Image PANAJI: In a state grappling with water scarcity in both urban and rural areas, the town and country planning (TCP) department continues to grant technical approvals for new housing and tourism projects daily, overlooking a critical factor—access to water. Rapid urban development, exacerbated by uncontrolled groundwater extraction and increasing tourist numbers, has left Goa’s water infrastructure in distress. Despite this escalating crisis, various government departments operate independently. Clearances for extensive housing developments and luxury resorts are issued without consulting the public works department (PWD) or the water resources department (WRD), which are responsible for ensuring residents have adequate…

CommercialLatest Stories

Goa Govt Loses ₹107 Crore as TCP Grants Free FAR to 321 Units

PANAJI: According to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), Goa has incurred a loss of ₹107 crore due to the town and country planning (TCP) department granting concessions to commercial entities by not imposing fees for additional floor area ratio (FAR). If calculated based on the finance department’s recommended rates, this loss could exceed ₹2,000 crore. The TCP department allowed 10.7 lakh square meters of additional FAR to 321 commercial establishments upon request without charging any fees. In contrast, the finance department had instructed the TCP to impose a fee of ₹1,000 per square meter for the…