the goan I network
CANACONA
Twelve structures at Agonda beach were cleared by tourism operators themselves on Monday, fearing removal of these by a demolition squad.
According to Canacona Deputy Collector Sagun Velip, 12 illegal structures were removed by the parties concerned, while others who had been served with demolition orders for their structures along the beach had assured to remove their own structures by Tuesday.
The tourism operators later secured a stay from the high court on the demolition.
After officials decided to avoid conducting the demolition drive at Agonda beach, they went to the shore and began to ask all tourism operators identified in the demolition order to remove their own structures, to avoid removal by the demolition squads.
South Goa Collector Ajit Roy, who was briefly present with the team of officials visiting the beach coast along the southern side, was heard directing officials to file a report on Wednesday, after all structures of the tourism operators concerned were removed within two days.
Additional Collector South Agnelo Fernandes, Dy Collector Sagun Velip, GCZMA Expert Member Dr Prabhakar Shirodkar, a surveyor, electricity officers and forest (wildlife) officers were seen visiting each of the tourism operators concerned to request them to remove their structures.
As authorities covered half of the beach and precisely at the site where the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre is located at about 1pm, reports began to emerge that the high court had stayed the demolition order of GCZMA at
all four beaches in Agonda, Galgibaga, Mandrem and Morjim.
Apparently unaware of the stay order, the officials continued their job to instruct all tourism operators concerned, before they along with the demolition squads and police force left Agonda late Monday evening.
