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The Goa government is revising its setback policy for buildings along highways, increasing the current 20-metre limit. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has approved the move, and officials are considering a 30-metre setback instead of the 40 metres recommended by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. A higher setback could impact ongoing and planned constructions, so the Public Works Department (PWD) is assessing how many structures will be affected. Since land beyond highways belongs to panchayats and comunidades, this adds complexity. Until the policy is finalised, PWD has put approvals on hold while discussions continue on a feasible solution.
The Goa government is in the process of framing a new policy for setbacks, minimum distances that buildings must maintain from highways. The move comes after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant gave the Public Works Department (PWD) the go-ahead to revise the existing 20-metre setback, which was set years ago. Advertisement
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) prescribes a 40-metre setback along highways, double the current requirement in Goa. However, many builders and landowners have already purchased plots and designed structures based on the 20-metre rule. Increasing the setback to 40 metres could disrupt numerous construction plans, leading the state to explore a middle-ground solution.
PWD officials consulted MoRTH, which confirmed that while their guidelines can be followed, the ministry is only concerned with land within the right of way (RoW) required for roads. This leaves the state free to decide its own setback policy. Officials are now considering whether a 30-metre setback would be a more practical solution. Meanwhile, the PWD is returning applications for new construction approvals, stating that a new policy is under development. To finalise the setback, the department is preparing a land plan to assess how many existing structures would fall within the RoW if setbacks are increased. They are also reviewing past cases where builders were granted setback relaxations, which remain valid.
One key factor is that a four-lane road currently requires 26 metres of land. In many areas, land beyond the RoW belongs to panchayats or comunidades and falls under the jurisdiction of the town and country planning department. These aspects will also influence the final decision.
For now, deliberations continue, with the government weighing the impact of any changes on ongoing and planned constructions while ensuring proper highway regulations are followed.
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