Tourism director halts Bambolim resort's beachfront construction

PANAJI
The Director of Tourism, Kedar Naik, has issued a stop-work order to the Grand Hyatt hotel in Bambolim over an allegedly unauthorised construction activity along the beachfront ” a retaining wall and the dumping of excavation debris.
Naik said the action was taken following surveys conducted by officials designated by the department, which found that the construction allegedly violates provisions of the Goa Tourist Places Protection and Maintenance Act.
The order was served to the party on Thursday after the department deemed the work a public nuisance, citing potential injury and danger to both locals and tourists.
“The act of constructing a retaining wall and dumping debris in the beach area is a nuisance and poses an incurable impact on tourism potential,” Naik's order states.
The nearly 300-metre-long retaining wall along the beach was first inspected by tourism officials on April 16. M/s Riverside Resort & Holiday Home Pvt. Ltd, which operates the Grand Hyatt property in Bambolim, was reportedly carrying out the work.
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) had also issued its own stop-work directive. The tourism department’s order reinforces the GCZMA’s stance and demands the immediate cessation of all related activities.
Locals who were protesting against the work have welcomed the move. The hotel management has yet to issue an official response.