A recent news report Published by Goa Plus News Channel highlighted statements made by Goa Congress Vice President Sunil Kawthankar, who called for the immediate resignation of Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant. Kawthankar accused the Chief Minister of enabling large-scale deforestation and land conversion for mega projects, following the reversal of decisions made by the Thomas & Araujo Committee regarding the identification of private forests. He further claimed that this opened up approximately 1.2 crore square meters of land for development, paving the way for large-scale projects by prominent developers, including Lodha, Zuari, and Bhutani, which he believes pose a serious threat to Goa’s environment and ecological balance.
Kawthankar specifically named Lodha Group as one of the major players involved in projects that have become controversial due to their potential impact on Goa’s natural forests and local communities. The Congress leader demanded the restoration of forest lands and accountability from the government.
Lodha Group’s Clarification
In response to these allegations, Lodha Group (Macrotech Developers), India’s No. 1 real estate developer, has issued a public clarification, distancing itself from any such projects in Goa. Lodha categorically stated that it has no involvement in any real estate projects in Goa or Ayodhya, nor is it associated with any entities like House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) or other organizations using similar names or logos. The group emphasized that it operates solely in the regions of Mumbai (MMR), Pune, and Bangalore.
Lodha’s Public Notice:
“Lodha Group has been receiving inquiries regarding its supposed involvement in plotted developments and/or hotel projects in Ayodhya and Goa. To ensure clarity for all stakeholders, we are issuing this public notice to clarify that we have no connection with such developments. Lodha Group operates exclusively in Mumbai (MMR), Pune, and Bangalore and has no association with any projects in Ayodhya or Goa. Additionally, we are not linked in any way with House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) or any entities using names or logos similar to ours,” the statement read.
The real estate giant further advised potential homebuyers and stakeholders to verify all project-related information via Lodha’s official website, www.lodhagroup.com, to avoid confusion and ensure authenticity.
Background of the Allegations
Kawthankar’s statement, as aired by Goa Plus, alleged that a committee formed by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant between June and September 2021 reversed the identification of private forests as determined by the Thomas & Araujo committee. This reversal led to vast stretches of forest land being reclassified, with approximately 1.2 crore square meters of land opened up for development. According to Kawthankar, this decision has been instrumental in facilitating several large-scale projects, including those by Lodha Group, Zuari, and Bhutani, which he claims pose an ecological threat to the state.
However, with Lodha’s public notice, the group has firmly denied any involvement in these projects, clarifying that it has no presence in Goa and disassociating itself from any such development.
Conclusion
The clarification from Lodha Group is an important development following the serious accusations raised by Goa Congress Vice President Sunil Kawthankar. While the issue of land conversion and deforestation remains a contentious topic in Goa, Lodha has made it clear that it is not involved in any of the alleged projects affecting the state. As the situation unfolds, further inquiries will likely focus on the role of other developers mentioned in Kawthankar’s statement, as well as the broader concerns regarding land-use changes in Goa.
