PANAJI: Goa has introduced new restrictions on the redevelopment of properties featuring traditional houses built before 1961, as the government moves to safeguard the state’s distinctive architectural heritage.
The decision was taken by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Board at a meeting chaired by TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane on Tuesday.
Under the new directive, properties measuring 500 square metres or more, containing pre-1961 traditional houses and located outside Outline Development Plan (ODP) areas, will be subject to a 40 per cent Floor Area Ratio (FAR) limit.
The directive also prohibits the structural demolition of the identified traditional houses, ensuring that the heritage structures are retained even if limited development is permitted on the remaining portion of the property.
The move comes amid increasing redevelopment in Goa’s rural areas, where traditional homes, village streetscapes and older architectural features are facing growing pressure from modern construction.
According to officials associated with the decision, the new regulations seek to strike a balance between heritage conservation and controlled development, allowing property owners limited construction while preventing the loss of traditional structures.
The restrictions currently apply specifically to eligible properties located outside ODP areas, adding an additional layer of protection to Goa’s pre-1961 built heritage.
