TCP seeks report from MPDA on nod to Zuari Agro

Porvorim: The town and country planning department does not have the exact details of the 540 hectares that was acquired by Zuari Agro Chemicals Ltd (ZACL), but has sought a detailed report on ZACL’s properties which were converted.
TCP minister Vishwajit Rane also said that the state government does not have land-use data for the period between 1961 and 1987, and thus does not know how much of the 540 acres handed over to ZACL in 1971 was utilised for industrial purpose.
“The department does not have exact details of properties which were part of 540 hectares in the name of Zuari Agro Chemical Ltd,” said Rane. The minister released this information in response to a question raised by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai.
The TCP Board in its 180th meeting held on June 9 decided to seek a detailed report from Mormugao Planning & Development Authority (MPDA) regarding permission for change of zone, but MPDA has yet to submit the report.
Rane also tabled information which shows that 60,236 sqm of industrial land was converted to residential area, while 33,881 sqm of residential land was converted to commercial zone. Sardesai had written to the TCP department seeking a probe into the conversion of industrial land to settlement and commercial land.
Sardesai had said that by converting 1.2 lakh sqmts of land to settlement and commercial zone, the total permissible built-up area has increased to 2 lakh sqmts. Sardesai also said that the land was not sold by ZACL, but exchanged with a third party for another property in Sancoale, which falls within no-development slope.
The Goa Forward Party president said that a Bengaluru-based real estate firm is constructing a 11-phase residential and hotel project on ZACL’s property.