MAPUSA
Even as authorities are dilly-dallying to take action against an alleged illegal construction along the Calangute coast, work on the construction is going on full swing in the No Development Zone (NDZ) right on the beach.
The Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) had officially complained to the Calangute panchayat and the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) against an alleged illegal construction within 100 mts from the low tide line (LTL).
“Massive destruction of the beach is going on at Tivai-vaddo where a concrete structure is coming up completely against the CRZ norms. As per CRZ rules no one is permitted to erect a concrete structure in the no development zone (NDZ),” said Premanand Divkar, President of CCF.
Interestingly, the owner of the private property (survey no 158/1) had obtained permission from the GCZMA in 2019 to construct temporary wooden cottages and a shack in the said property (copy of document is with The Goan).
A visit to the place shows that a huge concrete construction is coming up in the property with an area of around 7000 sq mts.
Sources informed that a hotel project with 80 rooms is coming up in the area.
In its letter to the panchayat, Deputy Collector, Bardez and the Member Secretary of GCZMA sent more than a fortnight ago, the CCF had sought immediate action against the transgression.
“We file our strong objection to such projects within the jurisdiction of the village panchayat of Calangute and request you to initiate immediate action against the developer of the construction,” the CCF had said in the letter.
Incidentally, the Calangute panchayat recently acted on an oral complaint and downed the shutters of a sex and wellness store in the beach village but in the alleged illegal construction although an official written complaint was sent more than 15 days ago no action has been forthcoming.
Calangute Sarpanch Dinesh Simepurushkar was not available for comment but former sarpanch, Shawn Martins informed The Goan that the panchayat members will visit the site on Monday (March 22).
“I don’t know why it took time for the panchayat to order for an inspection but we are visiting the site tomorrow (March 22). A video of the alleged illegal construction is doing the rounds on the social media. We will visit the site and after that the panchayat will take necessary action,” Martins informed.
