MAPUSA
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) on Friday carried out its fourth inspection of the controversial Kings Mansion property in Candolim, following persistent complaints of alleged illegal construction within Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) limits.
The inspection was conducted at Survey No 112/9 by GCZMA officials in the presence of members of the Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF), the complainant in the case.
The property, formerly known as Kingfisher Villa, has been under scrutiny for alleged violations including construction within restricted coastal zones and environmental damage.
Expressing frustration over the lack of action, CCF President Agnelo Barretto questioned the delay despite multiple inspections.
“This is the fourth inspection of the property. What is stopping the authorities from acting when the violations are blatant and an open-and-shut case?” Barretto said.
He alleged that large ground-plus-one structures had been constructed within the 200-metre and 500-metre High Tide Line (HTL) zones, which fall under CRZ regulations.
“The owners have destroyed sand dunes and damaged coastal vegetation. This is clearly a CRZ area, and the authority must act immediately. If not, we will be forced to initiate legal proceedings,” he warned.
Barretto further criticised the State government for what he termed as inaction. “There has to be firm action against such illegalities instead of dilly-dallying,” he added.
Echoing similar concerns, CCF PRO Clotilda Braganza questioned the lack of enforcement. “I don’t know why the authorities continue to remain silent despite repeated complaints,” she said.
The Calangute Constituency Forum had earlier filed a formal complaint alleging large-scale destruction of sand dunes and beach vegetation on the property, claiming significant ecological damage in the area.
Notably, the issue had also drawn the attention of local authorities last month, when the Block Development Officer (BDO) and the Candolim panchayat secretary conducted an inspection based on the CCF’s complaint.
Earlier, the Candolim panchayat had issued a demolition order against the alleged illegal structures.
However, the demolition order was subsequently stayed by the Deputy Director of Panchayats, adding another layer of delay to the enforcement process.
With multiple inspections completed but no decisive action yet taken, pressure is mounting on authorities to act swiftly on the alleged violations in the ecologically sensitive coastal belt.
