VASCO
While the petitioners pointed out to anomalies in the beautification project at the beach, the GTDC consultant sought to question their project plans as
being incorrect.
The GCZMA expert team comprising Dr Pradeep Shirodkar and A J Bhonsle inspected the Baina beach beautification project in the presence of the petitioners, Adv J S Saluja, Claude Alvares, Norma Alvares, GTDC consultant for Baina beach beautification Milind Ramani and other officials from GCZMA and GTDC.
Adv Saluja, Claude and Norma arrived at the beach first and conducted a first-hand inspection of the beautification. They pointed out to anomalies in the beautification project at the beach.
Adv Saluja, who had visited the beach in October 2016 along with Adv Jamshed Mistry to collect documentary evidence and place it before the NGT, was surprised to note that despite NGT directing the parties to maintain status quo, GTDC went ahead and completed most of
the project.
“I will bring to the notice of the NGT about the gross violation by GTDC, despite directing them to maintain status quo,” said Saluja.
“The NGT has directed the GCZMA to form an expert committee and conduct inspection of the Baina beach beautification and to submit the report to them,”
said Saluja.
Claude Alvares said most of the beautification is in violation of CRZ norms and has come up in ‘No
Development Zone’.
Pointing to the old original retaining wall at the beach, Claude said the project had been carried out in total violation of CRZ and was right at the beach.
Norma Alvares pointed out to Bhonsle and Dr Shirodkar that the fresh dumping of debris on the beach should also be reflected in the report, which the committee would submit to the GCZMA.
However, GTDC consultant Ramani sought to refute the claims of Adv Saluja, Claude and Norma, pointing out that the project plan brought by Claude and Norma was not correct, and that, he was in possession of the
original copy.
Responding to Ramani, Claude said his copy of the beach beautification plan was obtained under Right To Information and directed Ramani to place his original plan before the
expert committee.
Ramani also alleged that the fresh dumping of debris at the beach was being carried out by Drishti and claimed that GTDC was not involved in it.
However, some Drishti officials present at the beach immediately brought to the notice of the inspection team that GTDC had dumped the debris and presented complaint copies they had sent to MPT with photographs, stating that they were not responsible for dumping of debris.
