the goan I network
CANACONA
A day after the demolition orders were issued by Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to some 178 licencees operating tourism-related businesses, panic set in among stakeholders in Agonda, Morjim and Mandrem even as they met to explore options to stall the demolition drive to be undertaken on Monday.Two meetings were held and various options including approaching the court for a stay on the demolitions apart from approaching Chief Minister Pramod Swant were discussed.
Stakeholders were of the opinion that a delegation should meet Sawant and request his assistance to at least temporarily stall the reported Monday demolition drive.
GCZMA had imposed a Rs 1 lakh fine and simultaneously issued demolition orders to some 178 licencees operating tourism-related businesses in structures violating CRZ rules at Agonda, Morjim and Mandrem, known to be turtle-nesting habitats.
GCZMA Member Secretary, Ravi Jha, issued the notices on Thursday to 69 licencees in Agonda, 61 in Mandrem and 48 in Morjim.
Meanwhile, a few of the affected tourism operators began dismantling some of their temporary structures under the GCZMA radar in a bid to avoid the demolition and avoid any major losses. Shack operators in Agonda and Morjim were seen hurriedly dismantling their structures and salvaging all they could before the Monday demolition drive.
Meanwhile, on behalf of Agonda tourism operators, a BJP delegation from Canacona met Sawant in a desperate bid to avoid demolition of illegal structures at Agonda.
The delegation consisting of All Goa Private Property Shacks and Huts Owners Association Vice President Pankaj Naikgaunkar, led by ex-MLA Vijay Poi Khot submitted a representation to Sawant on Sunday evening.
The delegation was also accompanied by MP (South) Narendra Sawaikar, BJP General Secy Sadanand Tanawade and other executive members of Canacona BJP block.
It is learnt that Sawant categorically told the delegation that he could not stop or intervene in the matter. However, he has assured that the government could at the most request the demolition squad to avoid major losses.
Sources confirmed that Sawant refused to intervene in stalling the demolition but assured that measures would be taken to ensure minimal losses.
The CM, however, did not elaborate on measures, saying stakeholders will be informed late Sunday, sources said.
Demolition squads set for action
CANACONA: Bracing for Monday’s demolition drive, authorities are reported to have formed five demolition squads to raze hundreds of tourism structures that dot the Agonda shoreline in two days. According to sources, three squads are expected to take up the drive from southern side of Agonda coastline -- Val, Tambdem and Igregwada -- while two demolition squads will begin from northern side of the beach at Dhawalkhazan and Divanbhag. Fifteen bulldozers are also requisitioned, with a massive contingent of police personnel to thwart any possible hindrances from aggrieved stakeholders.
The saturation of illegal structures is high in the southern side of Agonda beach compared to the north. Sources, also informed the demolition squads will focus on razing concrete structures set up along the coast.
