MARGAO
More trouble seems to be brewing for ex-India cricketer Ashish Nehra over the alleged construction of a road in a No Development Zone (NDZ) at Mobor in Cavelossim village.
An inspection conducted by a team from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has unearthed alleged gross illegal road construction at Mobor in violation of the CRZ Notification 2011.
In fact, days after the Cavelossim Village Panchayat issued a notice to the cricketer through his Power of Attorney to restore the road within one month, the GCZMA has invoked provisions of the Environment Protection Act, as the coastal panel has issued a show cause notice to the cricketer for the alleged violations.
GCZMA Member Secretary Johnson Fernandes has directed the cricketer to show cause as to why a direction to demolish and restore the land to its original condition should not be issued to him. The cricketer has been further directed to ensure that no civil work of whatsoever kind and nature is carried out at the said site.
The GCZMA Member Secretary further stated in the notice that the cricketer is required to file a reply along with a compliance report and construction/reconstruction/repair licence/approvals, if any, issued by the concerned authorities, including the GCZMA, along with the approved plan, as well as documents to show the title to the Office of the GCZMA on or before September 29, 2024.
Further, Nehra has been directed to remain present for the personal hearing on September 29 at 3.30 pm or to depute his duly authorised representative with all the documents, approved site plans, and other related documents, if any, in support of his case/structure before the Authority.
The GCZMA Member Secretary has warned that in the event of failure to submit the reply or appear along with the required documents, the GCZMA will conclude that the party has no justification to carry out activities, and the authority shall proceed to issue final directions in this regard without any further notice, which among other things includes an order of demolition of structures, disconnection of water/power supply, etc.
“Whereas all proposed construction/reconstruction/development/repair and other permissible activities between 100 m from the river and 500 m from the sea require the prior approval of the GCZMA under the CRZ Notification 2011. The alleged construction activity appears to be devoid of the prior approval granted by the GCZMA as required under the CRZ Notification 2011,” the show cause notice stated.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, read with sub-rule (3)(a) of rule 4 of the Environment (Protection) Rules 1986, read with power vested in the GCZMA via Order issued by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India, the GCZMA hereby directs you to show cause as to why a direction to demolish and restore the land to its original condition should not be issued to you. Further, you are directed to ensure that no civil work of whatsoever kind and nature is carried out at the said site.”
Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz had sent a notice to the ex-India cricketer to remove the road and restore the land to its original condition. Though the panchayat had issued a stop notice to the party three months ago, the Sarpanch had to face the ire of the villagers over the delay in issuing a notice to the cricketer to restore the land to its original condition.
CRZ VIOLATION
- A GCZMA inspection of the site found gross illegal construction violating the CRZ Notification 2011. It found a rubble stone road 310 metres in length, with width varying between four metres and 6.50 metres.
- It said materials such as rubble and aggregates were stockpiled at various places. Along the western boundary of the property, sandbags were laid for 209 metres.
GCZMA DIRECTIONS
- The Dy Collector & SDO of Salcete have been directed to enforce GCZMA's directions and ensure that no work is carried out at the site, other than in accordance with the law, and submit a compliance report.
- The Police Inspector, Colva Police Station has been directed to stop the ongoing work at the site while the Secretary, Village Panchayat of Cavelossim is directed to serve a copy of the GCZMA notice upon the alleged violator and submit a compliance report and to initiate action as per the Goa Panchayat Raj Act.
