RPG-21 on ecology, infrastructure submitted to Goa CM

Panaji, Sep 22 (UNI) The Draft Regional Plan for Goa 2021 (RPG-21), highlighting the ecology conservation and infrastructure development of the state, was submitted to Chief Minister Digamber Kamat by Task Force Vice Chairman Charles Correa here today.

Mr Correa also recommended to circulate the draft for public suggestions.

The draft proposes to identify the areas of great ecological importance that should not be touched under any circumstances. These areas can be collectively grouped together as Eco-sensitive Zone-1 (ECO-1), covering 54.06 per cent of total area of the state and the second zone ECO-sensitive Zone 2 (ECO-2), representing those areas in which essential but only very minor intervention could be permitted. This zone covers 26.29 per cent of Goa's total area.

Mr Kamat, while addressing a press conference, had complimented Mr Correa and his team for preparing the draft in the interest of Goa, and putting efforts to map each and every survey number to identify Eco-sensitive zones, and also highlighting Heritage landscapes.

The RPG-21 proposes the creation of a special catergory called Heritge landscape, which will be protected by law (as in ECO-1).

Apart from this the draft also proposes to increase the growth, connectivity and synergy of Goa to increase people's standard of living.

According to the draft, the NH-4A from Mumbai-Bangalore National expressway should be bifurcated at Dharbandora, so that traffic will be diverted towards Bicholim and Thivim in the north Goa.

It also advocates expediation of the work of doubling the tracks of Konkan Railway and the south Western Railway, so that commuter trains can be run from Sawantwadi in north to Karwar in South and from Londa in the east to Vasco da Gama in the west.

Mopa, where the new international airport in Goa is being proposed, can be developed on a public private partnership basis with easy access by road and rail, according to the draft.

Access by water can be facilitated through the operation of Hydrofoil services along the coast, which would be particularly attractive for the tourists it added.

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