MARGAO
In a major development, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority has cracked the whip against illegal structures and extension in CRZ area at Colva, including a resort and a hotel, besides illegal extensions to stalls in the property of Tourism Department.
In four separate orders, GCZMA has ordered demolition of the structures, with further directions to restore the land to its original state within 30 days failing which the deputy Collector has been asked to raze down the structures and recover the cost from the owner.
In the first order, the GCZMA Member Secretary Dashrath Redkar ordered a Hotel to demolish all new additional structures shown in the survey in Colva. The hotel owner has been allowed to retain only the approved structure as per approved plan and restore the land to its original condition, within 30 days from the date of receipt of this order, falling which the concerned Deputy Collector, Margao shall demolish all the structures within 30 days and recover the expenses from the owner.
The Dy Collector & SDO of Salcete is required to submit a compliance report in respect of the directions to GCZMA within 10 days upon expiry of the 30 day deadline.
In another order, the GCZMA has directed a beach resort to demolish all the seven structures at Colva marked by Authority through its technical official and restore the land to its original condition with 30 days. The beach resort has been allowed to retain only the approved structures in the property.
The Deputy Collector has been directed to demolish all the structures to enable restoration of land to its original state within 15 days and recover the expenses incurred on the demolition as the arrears of land revenue. Further, Dy Collector & SDO of Salcete are required to submit a compliance report to the GCZMA within 10 days upon expiry of the 30-day period.
Meanwhile, GCZMA has ordered Tourism Department to demolish all extensions carried out to the structures located in its at Colva. The department has been further told to remove the 29 gaddas/carts from the tourism property.
In the event of failure to initiate action, the GCZMA has directed the Deputy Collector, Margao to demolish the illegal extensions and recover the expenses from the Director, department of Tourism as arrears of Land Revenue.
In this respect, the Deputy Collector, Margao has been directed to submit a report of compliance after the expiry of the deadline.
In the fourth order, the GCZMA has directed a citizen to demolish all structures in his property at Sernabatim, failing which the deputy Collector, Margao has been told to raze them.
The directions have been issued under Environment Protection Act in the suo moto writ petition by the High Court. The Colva Civic and Consumer Forum has been an intervener in these cases through its secretary Judith Almeida.
