Panaji: The Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) is drafting dedicated construction norms for industrial units, which could simplify obtaining permissions for industrial sheds. GIDC will introduce the building bylaws to maximise the built-up area leased to manufacturing units in industrial estates.The policy assumes significance as Goa is running out of industrial land. GIDC wants to enable industrial units to use as much land as possible because many manufacturing units cannot expand vertically due to the use of heavy machinery.“We will be coming up with our own building bylaws in industrial estates to simplify building norms and maximise the area that you will get for industrial use. This is what we are planning, and we hope to do it very soon,” industries minister Mauvin Godinho told industrialists recently.He said govt has already permitted manufacturing units to expand vertically by increasing the FAR to 300. “As far as land is concerned and Goa is concerned, it’s not like other states where huge chunks of land are given for free. It cannot happen in a small state like Goa,” said Godinho.Prime industrial land at Verna, Pilerne, Tuem, Latambarcem, and other places has virtually dried up, and GIDC has also nearly exhausted the 40% quota of industrial land kept aside for investments cleared by the Goa Investment Promotion Board.With the state running out of industrial land, govt was actively considering a policy to facilitate the use of private land for new investors looking to start operations in GoaGodinho also asked industrialists to temper their expectations of a quick economic bounce back.“We have a so-called agreement being signed by (US President) Trump and Iran, that will ease the flow of oil, which has affected industry in a big way. It has affected the economics of the world, and it is not so easy that something which gets disrupted comes back into place immediately,” said Godinho.He said the industry should prepare for further challenges due to the El Nino impact, water shortage, and other geopolitical changes.
