Panaji (Goa) Minister for Town and Country Planning (TCP) Vijay Sardessai today said that government has in-principle has agreed to split the North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA) into three- coastal PDA, Panjim PDA and Greater Panjim PDA consisting Taleigao, Bambolim and Old Goa.

The TCP Board will be meeting on October 30 to take final call on the matter.

Sardessai said that in order to have planned development, in those fast growing areas, government proposed to have PDAs in place.

“I am not asking for separate Fatorda PDA because it is not growing as Taleigao or Old Goa is growing. Even like the North coastal belt which is development needs separate PDA.  Looking at the demand, we have to take certain decision,” he said.

Sardessai said that in-principle it is agreed to have two more PDA’s with concept of greater Panjim. “Panjim has become saturated. Government aims to shift development out of Panjim to decongest the city,” he said.

“Decongesting Panjim should be priority of the government to the extent of it being cabinet decision,” he added.

Minister said that the coastal areas need to have something that is separately administered and hence have agreed to have a concept of coastal PDAs for north coastal belt.