The High Court has directed the Goa government to submit clear timelines for granting financial and architectural approvals to establish the proposed Open Correctional Institution (OCI) in the state. During the hearing of a suo motu petition registered on the directions of the Supreme Court, the High Court observed that the proposed architectural blueprint for the facility has taken shape and appears exceptionally cost-effective compared with larger, capital-intensive open prison infrastructure in other states. Government counsel informed the court that the architect’s estimates and plans have been submitted and are under review by the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Prisons Department to finalise the official costing. The High Court further directed the Government Advocate to address the key issues flagged during the hearing and place explicit timelines on record to finalise the architectural blueprints and sanction financial approvals for the OCI project. The High Court has also asked the Goa government to submit deadlines for amending the existing prison rules to incorporate the statutory provisions required for establishing and administering open correctional institutions. On the regulatory front, government counsel highlighted that a high-powered committee constituted under the Supreme Court of India’s framework had been mandated to recommend uniform measures across states within six months. The High Court agreed that Goa’s proposed rule amendments would be placed for review after taking into account the forthcoming national recommendations. The High Court adjourned the matter for further hearing on November 4.