More than 300 applications have been submitted, seeking the conversion of nearly 10 lakh square metres of land in Ponda taluka under the contentious Sections 17(2) and 39A of the Town and Country Planning Act.
According to records obtained from Assembly replies, the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department has received 95 applications under Section 17(2) of the Act, covering a total area of 7,78,652 square metres.
Similarly, under Section 39A, 236 applications have been submitted, covering 2,15,773 square metres of land.
Ponda is renowned for its temples and verdant landscape, which includes lush Kullagars, paddy fields, private forests, and extensive natural cover.
The villages where conversions are proposed include Adcolna, Bandora, Bethoda, Betqui, Boma, Borim, Khandepar, Cuncoliem, Codar, Cundaim, Curti, Nirankal, Orgao, Panchwadi, Priol, Kavlem (Queula), Shiroda, Tivrem, Usgao, Wadi, and Veling.
The areas identified for conversion in the Regional Plan 2021 include orchards, natural cover, No Development Slopes, paddy fields, and agricultural zones.
These areas include numerous plots ranging from 98 to 500 square metres that may have been sought to expand existing homes for local Goans. However, large tracts of green land are also being targeted for conversion by builders under Sections 17(2) and 39A.
Prominent politicians are also involved. Under Section 17(2), Deepak Dhavalikar, former minister and MGP president, has sought the conversion of 1.60 lakh square metres of orchard land to settlement at Bethora.
Similarly, BG Associates—owned by Goa Assembly Speaker and Sanvordem BJP MLA Ganesh Gaonkar—has applied to convert 8,900 square metres of natural cover with No Development Slope into a settlement under Section 17(2).
