the goan I network
PANAJI
In addition, Diana Buildwell has been directed to pay Rs 10 lakh to the North Goa Collector within eight weeks which will be used by the collector to restore the site.
The directions came on the basis of a petition filed by one Sagardeep Sirsaikar who alleged hill cutting and illegal development in the No Development Zone not only of the Coastal Zone Regulations but also it being in the vicinity of the Chapora Fort.
Ruling in the petitioner’s favour, the NGT directed that the GCZMA along with the deputy Collector of Bardez ensure the demolition of rain water harvesting tanks and other illegal structures in the NDZ area within eight weeks while the GCZMA also appoint a committee of experts including representatives of the Goa State Biodiversity Board to assess the damage caused to the environment by the unauthorised and illegal construction of a helipad, stepped access and to prepare a plan for its restoration along with tentative costs also within eight weeks.
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority too has been directed to deposit an amount of Rs 5 lakh as the costs of application in an escrow account of the collector within four weeks which should be spent for activities such as coastal protection and sanitation facilities in coastal areas.
Diana Buildwell Pvt Ltd a wholly-owned subsidiary of Indiabulls Real Estate Ltd (IREL) had acquired the hotel property from Sterling Holiday Resorts India Ltd for an undisclosed amount in May 2007.
Earlier, the Directorate of Archives and Archaeology too had issued strictures to the company to immediately stop hill- cutting near the Chapora fort and to remove an illegal road and barbed-wire fencing erected near the fort.
In May 2015, the GCZMA had after an inspection, directed the company to demolish or remove illegal cottages and structures built in the no-development zone.
The GCZMA had recorded hill cutting of five to six meters from the ground level at the entrance to the site besides also recording the presence of structures under construction including a ground and first floor, a road constructed towards the cottages and a helipad.
Hill cutting for the purpose of laying pipelines and sewage lines was also under way. There were 24 wooden cottages of permanent nature for which seasonal temporary permission was given by the authority concerned.
