MAPUSA
Despite protests from some of its members, the Anjuna-Caisua Panchayat went ahead and granted license to Diana Buildwell Ltd on September 2 this year for proposed revision to its re-construction and addition of resort blocks.
As reported in The Goan on Friday, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the State government to demolish illegal structures of M/s Diana Buildwell Ltd, a resort developer situated in no-development zone (NDZ) in Anjuna.
At least two panchas, Suhasini Govekar and Shetal Dabholkar, raised objections and voted against the panchayat resolution to grant license to the resort developer, following serious lapses in its construction.
The dissenting members had brought to the attention of the sarpanch and the secretary that the resort developer concerned had carried out illegal constructions by violating permission of the panchayat and in violation to the CRZ notification.
The said construction was also not as per the approved plan and the height of the buildings was more than 9 mtrs and more than ground plus one.
Despite request not to issue permission or renewal of permission, the panchayat went ahead and issued license to the developer.
M/s Diana Buildwell Ltd had facilitated the construction of a starred resort near the heritage site of Chapora Fort at Vagator. In September this year, the developer had applied for re-construction and extension of the proposed resort.
According to the CRZ notification, Chapora fort in Anjuna has been classified as CRZ-I, where the area within 100 metre around the fort was categorized as no-development zone, banning development, landscaping or construction in the area.
Last year, the GCZMA in its inspection report had found that the resort developer had carried out hill-cutting in violation of consents given by various agencies.
According to GCZMA inspection report, the developer M/s Diana Buildwell Ltd had constructed a road right up to the fort by cutting the hill and had also developed a helipad.
Local resident, Jaiprakash Sirsaikar, had first approached GCZMA, chief town planner, Goa State Biodiversity Board, Archives and Archaeology departments and three other authorities concerned against the illegalities.
Finding no response from the local authorities, his brother Sagardeep Sirsaikar knocked the doors of NGT.
