Goa HC Strikes Down Zoning Provision in Planning Act
ECONOMY & POLICY

Goa HC Strikes Down Zoning Provision in Planning Act

The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court has struck down Section 17(2) of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, 1974, ruling that it served private landowners' interests rather than public welfare. This section, introduced in March 2023, allowed authorities to rectify zoning inconsistencies, but petitioners argued it was being misused to convert land for commercial purposes. 

A division bench comprising Justices Nivedita P. Mehta and M. S. Karnik ruled that the provision undermined sustainable development and environmental concerns. The court noted that between March 2023 and January 2025, 353 approvals were granted under Section 17(2), impacting 2.654 million square meters. Most conversions involved shifting land use from paddy fields, natural cover, and no-development zones to settlement zones. 

The PIL, filed by Goa Foundation, Khazan Society of Goa, and Goa Bachao Abhiyan in June 2023, challenged the constitutional validity of the provision, arguing that it granted arbitrary powers to alter zoning regulations based on private requests. The court held that such plot-by-plot conversions were effectively mutilating the Regional Plan, which serves as Goa's long-term land-use blueprint. 

(The Hindu) 

The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court has struck down Section 17(2) of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, 1974, ruling that it served private landowners' interests rather than public welfare. This section, introduced in March 2023, allowed authorities to rectify zoning inconsistencies, but petitioners argued it was being misused to convert land for commercial purposes. A division bench comprising Justices Nivedita P. Mehta and M. S. Karnik ruled that the provision undermined sustainable development and environmental concerns. The court noted that between March 2023 and January 2025, 353 approvals were granted under Section 17(2), impacting 2.654 million square meters. Most conversions involved shifting land use from paddy fields, natural cover, and no-development zones to settlement zones. The PIL, filed by Goa Foundation, Khazan Society of Goa, and Goa Bachao Abhiyan in June 2023, challenged the constitutional validity of the provision, arguing that it granted arbitrary powers to alter zoning regulations based on private requests. The court held that such plot-by-plot conversions were effectively mutilating the Regional Plan, which serves as Goa's long-term land-use blueprint. (The Hindu) 

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

BLR Airport crosses 41 million passengers, 500,000 MT cargo

Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport), has recorded key operational milestones in FY 2024-25, crossing 41.88 million passengers and handling 502,480 metric tonnes of cargo. This marks a year-on-year passenger growth of 11.6 per cent and a 14 per cent rise in cargo volumes.Domestic footfall reached 36.05 million, up 10 per cent, while international traffic saw a robust 25 per cent jump to 5.83 million, aided by Indigo’s global expansion and added frequencies by international carriers. BLR Airport now connects to 76 domestic and 33 international destinations, with Hanoi set..

Next Story
Equipment

JK Tyre opens Truck Wheels Centre in Muzaffarnagar

JK Tyre & Industries has expanded its retail footprint with the launch of a new JK Tyre Truck Wheels Centre in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. Operated by Hemkunt Transport Company, the facility is located strategically on the Muzaffarnagar-Bhopa State Highway and spans 7,500 square feet.The brand shop offers a complete range of services for commercial vehicles, including tyre sales, fittings, servicing, and a product display to guide customer choices. It is equipped with trained technical advisors, an information kiosk, and JK Tyre’s range of Smart and Fuel Efficient tyres.“In key trans..

Next Story
Products

World Health Day: Merino pushes wellness with FABWood innovation

On World Health Day, Merino Industries highlighted the importance of health-first materials in interior spaces with its advanced chipboard solution, FABWood. Designed to promote indoor well-being, FABWood uses E1-grade chipboard that significantly reduces formaldehyde emissions—addressing key concerns about indoor air quality and safety.FABWood is built with Merino’s proprietary ChipWeave Technology, delivering strength, impact resistance, and screw-holding power—making it ideal for furniture, panelling, and structural applications. The product blends durability with sustainable innovati..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?