MAPUSA
In a decision that effectively neutralises environmental safeguards in one of Aldona’s sensitive coastal belts, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has dismissed a complaint of illegal construction in a No Development Zone (NDZ), clearing the way for a bungalow linked to former chief secretary Puneet Goel.
The Authority’s October ruling came on a complaint filed by politician Trajano D’Mello, who had alleged CRZ violations on a property bearing survey no 36/1 of Aldona village.
Following the complaint, a GCZMA team comprising an Expert Member, Environmental Assistant and field surveyor inspected the site on May 19, 2025. The inspection report was placed before the Authority, which examined the physical features of the plot rather than the construction itself.
The Authority noted the presence of sluice gates on both sides of the property and bunds along two boundaries, concluding that Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) jurisdiction ends at these sluice gates.
On this basis, the GCZMA held that the property lies outside the CRZ and therefore beyond its regulatory reach.
The ruling hinges on the Goa-approved CZMP 2011, which marks two sluice gates flanking the property.
These gates, identified by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSM), were used by the Authority to invoke a 2020 amendment to the CRZ Notification.
Referring to an amendment to the CRZ Notification 2011 – the GCZMA observed that where bunds or sluice gates existed prior to the original CRZ Notification of February 19, 1991, the High Tide Line (HTL) stands restricted to the line of such structures.
Since sluice gates appear on the approved CZMP, the Authority ruled that CRZ norms do not apply to the Aldona plot, effectively rendering NDZ restrictions irrelevant in this case.
The Authority also rejected the argument that the property falls within a mangrove buffer as per the CZMP declaration dated September 7, 2022.
The GCZMA ruled that since the structures existed prior to the mangrove buffer being notified, the protections cannot be applied retrospectively.
Having concluded that the plot lacks tidal influence and falls outside CRZ limits, and that mangrove buffer norms do not apply retrospectively, the GCZMA ruled that it had no jurisdiction to proceed further.
The complaint was dismissed as “devoid of merits,” no show-cause notice was issued and the case was formally closed.
While the order does not explicitly name the property owner, the bungalow is linked to former Chief Secretary Puneet Goel, a fact that has intensified scrutiny of the decision.
The ruling is now being seen as a precedent that could allow constructions in ecologically sensitive zones to be retrospectively insulated from action using CZMP maps, sluice gate interpretations and post-facto amendments – potentially hollowing out coastal regulation in the State.
As Goa grapples with unregulated construction along its coastline, the GCZMA’s latest order is likely to fuel further debate on whether environmental law is being enforced – or engineered.
