OLD GOA
Citing several violations in the construction of a retaining wall along Bambolim beach, St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar halted the work on Wednesday, and asked the authorities concerned to take action against the violators.
After coming to know of the violations, Borkar, along with staff and villagers, visited the site and confronted the workers over the work on the retaining wall while seeking to know whether permissions had been obtained from the authorities concerned.
A person then came and produced permissions from TCP, GCZMA and the Curca-Bambolim panchayat, which had expired.
The permissions from all three authorities were apparently granted more than three years ago and their validity had expired.
The MLA also informed the GCZMA officials, Curca Talathi and the Survey Department officials to remain present at the site.
After all the officials arrived, MLA Borkar told them that the party concerned had no valid permissions to go ahead with the retaining wall construction work.
“The permissions that are being shown have all expired and whatever is being done is totally illegal,” said Borkar.
“Therefore, authorities should take action and seize the heavy machinery that is being used for the work,” Borkar demanded.
Later, speaking to reporters, Borkar said he has already written to the Environment Minister, Panchayats Minister, Revenue Minister, Tourism Minister and other authorities concerned to intervene in the matter and act sternly.
“Already there is a High Court order that the authorities should act against illegalities and this is a fit case,” Borkar stated, while questioning the local panchayat’s failure in stopping the work.
Later, when contacted by The Goan, the Curca-Bambolim panchayat officials informed that a stop-work order had been issued to the party concerned a week ago, despite which the work continued.
