Locals flag misuse of CRZ norms & sewage discharge by hotels
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE: A local resident raises a concern during Sunday’s gram sabha in Candolim, as Sarpanch Blaize Fernandes listens attentively.
MAPUSA
The recent High Court decision setting aside the Outline Development Plans (ODPs) of five coastal villages found strong support at the Candolim gram sabha on Sunday, with villagers demanding immediate action against illegal constructions approved under the now-defunct plans.
Candolim Sarpanch Blaize Fernandes informed the gathering that the panchayat has just received the court order and will begin identifying structures that were approved under the scrapped ODP.
He assured residents that stop-work notices would be issued for all such ongoing projects.
“From next week, we will start identifying projects passed under the ODP and accordingly issue stop-work orders,” Fernandes said.
Local resident Anil Kandolkar urged the panchayat not to issue occupancy certificates to projects whose licences are liable to be cancelled under the High Court order.
Another villager, Parkash Kuttikar, moved a congratulatory motion lauding the Calangute Constituency Forum and Calangute Panchayat for their sustained campaign against the ODPs. The motion was seconded by Damiao Telles.
The gram sabha also witnessed widespread concern from residents about the misuse of permissions granted under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms, particularly in eco-sensitive zones.
Several villagers alleged that ‘outsiders’ had obtained CRZ permissions to construct temporary structures, which were then illegally built using concrete and iron instead of the mandated eco-friendly materials.
Telles objected to the manner in which CRZ permissions were being misused.
Responding to the concerns, the Sarpanch said the panchayat would write to the CRZ authorities before issuing any further permissions in eco-sensitive zones, ensuring such cases are given due scrutiny.
Environmental issues also came to the fore during the meeting, with several members highlighting the discharge of untreated sewage by certain hotels into local nullahs.
Residents complained that the sewage was causing foul odours and posing a serious environmental threat.
The Sarpanch assured the gram sabha that strict action would be taken if such violations were reported.
“We will impose fines on any hotels found discharging sewage into the nullahs,” he said.
The gram sabha concluded with a strong consensus on the need to uphold environmental laws and ensure accountability for unauthorised developments in the village.
