PANJIM, June 2 -- Amidst public opposition and a PIL pending in the High Court, the Department of Town and Country Planning (TCP) has continued its action of rampant conversion of "natural cover" into "settlement" in the Regional Plan 2021 under the guise of rectifying errors and correction of inconsistent/incoherent zoning proposals. This time, it has allowed the conversion of over a whopping 50,000 square metres of natural cover into settlement in Assagao village.

In a notification issued on May 29, the Chief Town Planner (CTP), following State government approval for alteration and modification in the RP 2021, has allowed conversion of 48,200 square metres land- surveyed under Survey No 69, Sub-Division No. 1 in Assagao and another 1,...