CANACONA
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) demolished a structure comprising two rooms for violating Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations on Agonda beach shore in Canacona on Friday.
A South Goa Demolition Squad demolished the structure in the presence of Canacona Mamlatdar Jeetendra Bugde, Agonda Panchayat Secretary Amol Naikgaunkar, a Field Surveyor (representative of GCZMA), an LDC from the Deputy Collector and SDO office and a police team.
GCZMA had directed the Canacona Deputy Collector and SDO to execute the demolition order within one month and to submit a compliance report.
GCZMA has cited its previous orders and also the dismissal of an appeal by the respondent before the NGT against the impugned order to carry out the demolition.
According to sources, the demolition was hanging on the structure since the last seven years.
Hevona Fernandes, who was at the site, informed reporters that her house had been existing years before 1991 and was repaired in 2001.
“I availed electricity connection and regularly paid house tax to the panchayat. A mundkarial case is pending before the Addtl Director of Panchayats (Margao) and Dy Collector (Canacona). The cases were heard even on Thursday and the next hearing was fixed for June 28. When the matter is pending before government authorities, the same government is demolishing my house today,” said Fernandes.
According to sources, on learning of the impending demolition, the family removed the roof tiles from the houses.
The demolition squad had to engage heavy machinery to break down the strong laterite stone walls, while some portion of the structure were physically brought down by labourers with pickaxes and other equipment.
