The NIMBY (not in my backyard) fever has hit Mormugao. Andits local MLA and minister Milind Naik is its main patient. And the cause ofthe virus is his own party man and neighbouring MLA, Carlos Almeida.
Almeida seems to be undoing what he did as a Councillor andupsetting Milind Naik. “My workers have told me that Carlos Almeida is carryingout works in my area without my knowledge and interfering in my constituency.And I don’t like it” says Power Minister Naik who is the MLA of Mormugao. Naikhas already complained to the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
At the heart of the controversy is both the Baina Beachbeautification project as well as Mormugao Municipal Council’s own project. MMCis undertaking the development of a retaining wall into a viewing pavilion at acost Rs. 4.50 lakh. The project that has nothing to do with the Rs. 50 lakhBaina Beach Beautification project, being personally being overseen by Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida. Baina fallsin neighbouring Mormugao constituency represented by Milind Naik. But there isalso a bigger illegality that the current development is facing.
The concrete masonry wall is being built without Goa CoastalZone Management Authority’s permission even though it is being carried out onthe Beach in a CRZ I area. “This was an old wall which had become weak and MMCgave permission to repair and convert it into steps”, explains MMC ChiefOfficer Agnelo Fernandes. MMC however issued stop work notice ‘as CRZ approvalwas not taken’. MMC’s Carlos inspired guerilla development has not gone downquite well with his detractors.
“Why should there be dual standards for the same Beach? Ifthe last time they demolished structures stating that it was violating CRZ, howis it different this time?” questions former MMC Chairperson Milton Barreto.Barreto’s efforts to beautify Baina Beach through Goa State Urban DevelopmentAgency was struck down by High Court of Bombay. In 2007, on a petition filed byLeonardo Lobo it was brought to HC’s notice that GSUDA (Goa State UrbanDevelopment Agency) had in the garb ofconstructing a retaining walls on the beach, constructed eight shops inviolation of CRZ regulation. The retaining wall was just 50 metres away fromthe High Tide line. Not only did the Court direct demolition of illegalstructures but also asked for recovery of the amount from Government Officials.The upcoming wall is even nearer to the sea.
But Carlos is unfazed. “There is nothing illegal done atBaina Beach. The contractor was preparing for the work of constructing stepswhile repairing the existing weakened wall. This project initiated by MMC withmy help is benefiting people and not me” says Carlos in defence.
