Illegal constructions mushroom in Mapusa council's Ward 20

The Chief Officer’s direction came after an instance of such alleged illegal activity taking place right under the nose of the Mapusa Municipal Council was brought to his notice by ward member, Prakash Bhivshet.

According to Bhivshet, around a fortnight back a makeshift stall was overnight erected in an agricultural land at Gaunsa-vaddo adjacent to the NH-66.

This agricultural land has been under controversy, as several complaints had been filed before the deputy collector against illegal land-filling carried out in the land and the authority was seized of the matter.

Interestingly, despite the illegality, the electricity department has recently issued an electric connection to the stall.

The ward member informed that recently the entire area was levelled and it has been reported that some individuals were planning to start a marble selling business in the open land.

Officials in the Mapusa municipality were mum on whether permission has been issued to anyone to start business in the area.

“When the matter of illegal land filling of the area is before the deputy collector for adjudication, how can the municipality issue a trade licence or NOC to anyone? I am sure the civic body has not issued any licence in this case,” Bhivshet said.

The chief officer in his order said it was brought to his notice that there were a lot of illegal activities taking place in Gaunsa-vaddo in ward 20.

“There are allegations that this office has been accepting bribes for issuing NOCs to such activities pertaining to illegal constructions. The concerned Junior Engineer is directed to conduct a survey and investigate all such illegal constructions in Gaunsa-vaddo,” Sawal said in his order issued on June 20.

The JE has been directed to place the report before the chief officer within seven days.