CRZ inspections stalled by lack of equipment: Activist

The electronic device which proved inadequate to measure CRZ violations during an inspection at Colva by GCZMA on Wednesday.

Photo Credits: The Goan

MARGAO
An inspection ordered by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) into alleged Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations at Colva was delayed this week, with officials from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) arriving without the required “Total Station” surveying equipment.

Social activist Judith Almeida raised concerns over the use of an alternative electronic device that reportedly failed to function properly due to poor Wi-Fi connectivity in the area.

Judith has called on the government and the GCZMA to immediately provide a Total Station for the officials to carry out measurements of structures built in violation of CRZ norms. “Why can’t the government procure a Total Station costing around Rs 10 lakh when the agency and the government are earning handsome revenue by way of permissions?” she questioned.

In this instance, Judith pointed out that the inspection and measurements were supposed to take place on Wednesday morning and be completed immediately. “But since the electronic device was operating on Wi-Fi, the process was very slow due to poor internet. What can be done within two hours takes two days without a Total Station,” she said.