MARGAO
Decks have been cleared for the razing down of a bar and restaurant located in Betalbatim village, bordering Colva after the appeal petition filed in the Supreme Court found no favour with the court.
While the owner has been granted four months time by the Supreme Court to demolish the structures, housing the bar and restaurant, Secretary of Colva Civic and Consumer Forum, Judith Almeida on Saturday said she would move the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority as well as the Deputy Collector, Margao, Uday Prabhudesai on Monday to immediately seal the business premise. “No doubt, the Supreme Court has granted four months time to the owner to raze down the structures, but I demand that the authorities seal the premises to ensure that no business is carried out during the next four months,” she said.
While granting four months time to the restaurant owner to demolish the structure existing on the land in question, the Supreme Court, however, asserted that it will be open to the authorities to demolish the same if the owner does not demolish the structure within the time frame.
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) had on July 3, 2019 issued directions to demolish the structure in question, in violation of the CRZ Notification, 1991.
By its order, the GCZMA has directed the owner to demolish the structures on the land in question and to take necessary measures to restore the sand dunes to its original condition in coordination with the Goa State Bio Diversity Board for which all costs for such restoration shall be borne by the owner.
The GCZMA had further directed the owner to immediately stop all the commercial activities being carried out in the bar and restaurant situated at Betalbatim village, with immediate effect and further to restore the land to its original condition, within 30 days from the date of receipt of this order.
The order was later challenged before the National Green Tribunal, before the owner went in appeal before the Supreme Court.
