Goa SEIAA Denies Environmental Clearance for Two Residential Projects Due to Safety and Regulatory Lapses

In a significant decision underscoring the importance of safety and disaster preparedness, the Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) has denied Environmental Clearance (EC) to two residential project proposals – one in Candolim and another in Chopdem – citing non-compliance with critical safety requirements.

The proposed Candolim project had a planned built-up area of 26,365.12 square metres, but the authority found that the absence of a separate emergency exit with vehicular access posed a serious safety risk, particularly in the event of a fire or other emergencies. According to the SEIAA, the project proponent failed to revise and resubmit the project layout to incorporate a clearly designated emergency access road, despite previous recommendations made during earlier stages of scrutiny.

An emergency exit with vehicular access is a non-negotiable requirement in large residential complexes, especially in areas with high population density and tourism activity like Candolim. It’s not just a planning issue – it’s a matter of life and safety, said a senior official from SEIAA, on condition of anonymity. The authority stressed that disaster management compliance must be built into the core design of any major development proposal.

In the case of the Candolim project, the absence of such provisions was seen as a clear violation of environmental safety norms, which led to the outright rejection of the application. While the SEIAA’s rejection halts the project in its current form, the developer still has the option to submit a revised proposal addressing the authority’s concerns.

This development is likely to serve as a wake-up call for real estate developers in Goa, particularly in ecologically fragile and high-density areas. With environmental regulations being tightened, especially around fire safety, traffic management, and emergency response access, future project approvals will likely face greater scrutiny.

The SEIAA’s decision also reflects a growing emphasis on long-term sustainability and community safety, beyond just environmental impact in the traditional sense. The proposal submitted for construction of residential villas in Chopdem village was turned down after SEIAA found multiple irregularities in the application.

The proposed project encompassed a total area of 307,586 square metres, with an additional 600 square metres indicated in the plan. However, the application sought clearance for only 274,986 square metres, raising concerns about the accuracy and transparency of the details provided. Further scrutiny by the Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee (Goa-SEAC) revealed that the plot in question had not been formally partitioned as required under the prevailing land regulations.

The SEIAA noted that the documents and details furnished by the project proponent were inconsistent with existing planning and zoning norms. Based on these critical discrepancies, as well as the recommendations from the Goa-SEAC, the Authority unanimously decided to reject the application for Environmental Clearance.