Goa CM backs Regional Plan 2021

“This is a plan (prepared) by planners and not bureaucrats,” he said,pointing out to the involvement of world renowned architects like Charles Correia in drafting it.

Kamat’s statement comes in the backdrop of differences among Congress members and sections of society over the plan.

Congress leaders Dayanand Narvekar,Churchill Alemao and Reginaldo Lourenco have shot off a missive to their higher-ups expressing their discontent about the ambitious blue print.

Narvekar said the plan was not for the good of Goa and it needs to be scrapped.

Various architects,planners and social workers were involved in drafting the plan.

Throwing his weight behind the plan,Kamat said even after notifying the plan,it has been kept open for corrections,and a special facilitation centre has been opened for the same.

The RP 2021 has suggested regulation of future growth in the tourism hot spots such as Calangute and Old Goa,saying the lack of a clear road map may lead to further destruction of the state’s tourism assets.

The state government,which was flooded with memoranda opposing the plan,has prepared a detailed response which would be soon made public through media.

Seeking to dispel fears about RP 2021,the chief minister said the fear that many structures will be demolished for expanding width of the road under the plan was “unnecessary”.

“The width of the road is maintained the same as it was in the RP 2001,” he said.

Kamat,who also holds Town and Country Planning portfolio,had convened a meeting of the state level Steering Committee (SLST) which discussed the objections raised by the people against the plan.

Kamat said the plan was open for scrutiny at any time and would be reviewed every five years by experts.