the goan I network
CANACONA
The Agonda panchayat demolished several tourism structures which were found violating CRZ regulations at a private beachside property on Thursday.
Acting on orders of the High Court of Bombay at Goa on a petition by a resident regarding tourism structures illegally operating in violation of CRZ rules in disputed property, the Agonda panchayat demolished the structures with the help of a demolition squad led by the Canacona Mamlatdar in a day-long
demolition drive.
Panchayat Secretary Sushant Lolayekar informed 17 structures, including 2 permanent shops, 4 semi-pucca structures and a toilet, belonging to Gauri Asnotikar, were demolished with the help of a JCB on Thursday.
“The demolition drive will be continued on Friday,” said Lolayekar.
According to sources, Gauri Asnotikar is the wife of Karnataka ex-minister, Anand Asnotikar.
The demolition squad was pressed into service to demolish about 80 structures belonging to six different parties along the Agonda beach.
Three parties had demolished the tourism structures on their own and restored the land to its original, while two other parties also demolished all their temporary structures on their own and obtained a stay from the district court for some permanent structures.
After the HC had ordered the removal of all illegal tourism structures existing in violation of CRZ regulations within six weeks, the Agonda panchayat had issued a ‘Notice of Demolition’ to eight parties on September 5.
Two parties had obtained a court stay, while the panchayat proceeded with the demolition of structures operated by six others.
Besides Canacona Mamlatdar Raghuraj Phaldessai, Canacona PI Sudesh Narvekar and a police team were present to maintain law and order during the demolition drive.
Agonda Sarpanch Abel Borges, Canacona BDO Extension Officer (Engineer) Biva Velip, Agonda Panchayat Secretary Sushant Lolayekar were present, while officials from PWD and electricity department assisted in the demolition process.
