PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday issued notices to the Goa government, Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) and other respondents on a PIL challenging permissions granted for the Quarter Deck entertainment hub at Panaji park on the Mandovi riverfront.
Filed by Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA), the PIL challenges the GCZMA’s no-objection certificate, the CCP’s repair and extension licence, and other approvals. The matter will be heard on August 11. GBA convener Sabina Martins said the petition was filed to protect the park, alleging it had been commercialised after being leased for tourism infrastructure, violating the Doctrine of Public Trust.
The PIL alleged that construction exceeded the CCP’s repair licence, with existing structures altered and new ones added. GBA said the CCP issued a show-cause notice over allegedly illegal structures, but no further action was communicated after the July 16 deadline. Martins said the Captain of Ports Department had not granted permission for river encroachment. The PIL also alleged planning and coastal regulation violations, while GBA claimed repair permissions were used to create additional commercial space.
