MAPUSA
Authorities on Monday demolished about 40 kiosks erected near the Vagator Helipad amid heavy police protection.
The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) had leased out a land admeasuring to a Delhi-based company for 30 years under eco-tourism. However, some people erected kiosks cum shops some 30 years ago.
On February 15, 2015, the GTDC had decided to remove the kiosks and about 30 kiosks were removed with the help of JCB, while eight kiosk owners were arrested by the police for allegedly opposing the removal of the kiosks.
Some locals had opposed the leasing of land and had challenged it in the Green Tribunal. In its order, the Tribunal had stayed the lease process and ordered to demolish the huts that were erected near the seashore.
The Green Tribunal also directed not to undertake any construction work on the seashore and Helipad area.
GTDC deputy manager Gavin Dias and Bardez Joint Mamlatdar Ravshankar Nipanikar were present during the demolition.
“We have removed the encroachments as per legal provision,” stated GTDC deputy managar Gavin Dias.
A kiosk owner, Durgabai Kalangutkar and Panch Suhasini Goakar said they were doing small business since last so many years. “Water Resources Minister Dayanand Mandrekar had assured us to give shops and with his permission we had erected the kiosks, which were demolished,” said Kalangutkar.
Another kiosk owner, Bakbhim Malwankar, claimed there are many hotels which are illegally constructed at Anjuna and Vagator.
“The government has no guts to touch the hotels and restaurants of non-Goans. We are local people who are doing small business, but the government machinery is against us,” said Malwankar.
