Summons Dy Town Planner, Bardez and Flying Squad officer
PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday expressed grave concern over rampant hill cutting at Reis Magos in Bardez and observed that there was an imminent danger of collapse of the hill if immediate protective measures were not taken.
The Division Bench of Justice Suman Shyam and Justice Amit Jamsandekar was hearing a Writ Petition filed by The Milroc Vista Do Mar Cooperative Housing Maintenance Society Ltd and others, relating to large-scale hill cutting in Survey No. 95/1-C-2 at Reis Magos.
Perusing photographs placed on record by the petitioners, the Court noted that they prima facie projected a “grim picture”. “A look at the photographs prima facie projects a grim picture. This Court is of the tentative view that there is an imminent danger of collapse of the hill in that area if no protective measures are initiated immediately. Therefore, urgent action may be required by the authorities,” it said.
In view of the urgency, the Court directed that the matter be listed again on February 4, 2026, ‘high on board’ and directed that the Deputy Town Planner and the person in charge of the Flying Squad to remain personally present before the Court at 10.30 am with all relevant records, to answer the Court’s queries.
During the hearing, the petitioners also alleged violations of planning and building regulations, contending that the developer had not obtained mandatory permission under Section 17(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act.
They pointed out that while the permissible Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in the area was restricted to 80 per cent, the construction plan reflected a FAR of nearly 95-97 per cent, without any conversion sanad or statutory approval for the excess built-up area.
The Court observed that, prima facie, the material on record indicated violations of the Building Rules, and also took note of the submission that the TCP Department had been informed earlier about the hill cutting and construction activity, but no effective action had been initiated.
When the government sought to explain the role of the TCP Department, the Bench stressed the need for accountability and directed the State to place before it the names of the officers responsible.
The government informed the Court that a Flying Squad had been constituted, following which the Bench reiterated its direction for the concerned officers to remain present.
