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
Real Estate

Google India’s New Campus

India continues to cement its position as a global digital powerhouse – and Google’s latest milestone reinforces this trajectory with the inauguration of Ananta, one of its largest offices worldwide. CW explores the design, sustainability and construction aspects of this landmark campus in Bengaluru.Significance of AnantaLocated in Mahadevapura, Bengaluru, Ananta spans 1.6 million sq ft and is situated within Bagmane Tech Park. Named after the Sanskrit word for ‘infinite’, this state-of-the-art, 11-storey facility is Google’s fourth office in Bengaluru. It is designed to foster colla..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Indian Delegation Visits South Africa for Trade and Investment Talks

A nine-member Indian delegation participated in the second session of the India-South Africa Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment (JWGTI) held in Pretoria from 22 to 23 April 2025. Discussions were conducted in a cordial atmosphere, focusing on expanding trade ties, boosting investments, and fostering greater people-to-people exchanges. The meeting was co-chaired by Malose Letsoalo, Chief Director, Bilateral Trade Relations, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, and Priya Nair, Economic Adviser, Department of Commerce, India. Delegates from the High Commission ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Ministry of Cooperation Inaugurates NCOL Organic Packaging Facility

The Ministry of Cooperation inaugurated a new state-of-the-art packaging facility of National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The centre is dedicated to packaging pulses and organic products while maintaining high hygiene and quality standards. Dr Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation, called the facility a major milestone in promoting the Bharat Organics brand. The initiative aims to empower farmers and expand access to certified organic produce across India, while offering premium prices to farmers and affordable organic food to consumers. Un..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?