The story of a nightclub standing tall on the banks of Chapora River in Siolim despite several demolition orders is baffling. It gives a clear indication of how lobbies have successfully managed to manipulate their way through Goa’s porous coastal management system. This is a glaring example of how illegalities are given that elbow room to manoeuvre. What does it mean when this Siolim nightclub manages to hold fort for six long years and continues to do brisk business in the interim, even while facing a series of demolition orders against its structures?
The bone of contention is the structures violating CRZ rules, which include a concrete floor, swimming pool and a jetty. The first complaint against the nightclub dates back to 2013 and it is only after two years the GCZMA gave its first demolition order only to be challenged by the nightclub in High Court, which in turn asked the coastal body to hear it afresh. The May 28 verdict of the GCZMA this year is the third demolition order. The deputy collector has been asked to ensure compliance or proceed with demolition within 15 days, but again, it’s close to a month and nothing has moved in that direction.
The sad irony is the fact that delays from the coastal authority over the issue have been used to good effect by the nightclub. The very fact that it took the GCZMA two long years to issue a demolition order based on a complaint in 2013 goes a long way to highlight the fact that justice was delayed.
The failure within the system is clear as daylight. There can’t be any hesitancy to act against such illegalities and if the GCZMA doesn’t show the urgency and intent to proceed in such a case, it sets a very bad precedent. If Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s mantra is welfare of Goa and Goans, he must ensure that the ground rules are followed in the spirit of law, in all its fairness and transparency. If Goa has to progress the way the CM envisages, he must first ensure there is one law for everyone. There can’t be different yardsticks to measure the CRZ “ one for the common man and another for the high and mighty.
Goa needs to cleanse its systems first and the law enforcers must draw the line firmly. The influence of the mighty nightclub lobby is well-known in the coastal belt where a different set of rules apply. Leave aside CRZ violations, even noise pollution takes a different definition altogether here. Lest we forget, a retreat club in Baga was made to ‘face the music’ right through the night and even wee hours of morning with music played way beyond permitted decibels. It’s ridiculous that even the local MLA looks the other way.
We can’t allow our systems to be hijacked by the high and mighty. The powers of lobbies can’t be allowed to overpower systems. Goa has to be a level-playing field for all, irrespective of affiliations and controls. It’s time legislators walk the talk of taking Goa forward.
