PANAJI
Amid numerous cases of illegal hill-cutting cases pending before the authorities, a local NGO and some environmental activists moved the High Court of Bombay at Goa alleging hill-cutting and challenging construction of a residential house under the Regional Plan 2001 in the village of Pomburpa.
The activists alleged a ‘threat to the natural environment, water and biodiversity’ through development plans while also pointing at alleged corrupt and illegal practices in various government departments.
With the Town and Country Planning, Deputy Conservator of Forests and other concerned departments submitting required documents, one of the main respondents Tarun Tahiliani assured the Court that he will not proceed with any further construction till February 20, 2024, when the matter will be heard next.
“Licenses and permissions by various government and local authorities for construction of the residential house have been lawfully granted. The complainants have premised their objections on the plea the construction of the residential house under the RP 2001 could not have been granted as the RP 2021 had been published on October 20, 2011. However, it is a matter of public record that the RP 2021 was open for objections from the public up to December 20, 2011, and thereafter kept on hold/ in abeyance...” the respondent said.
The High Court while adjourning the matter for February 20 is expected to give its findings after considering responses from TCP and Tahiliani, who during the ongoing hearing informed the Court about halting further construction till the upcoming hearing.
