SANGUEM
In a major crackdown on alleged unauthorised industrial activity, authorities demolished a gas storage facility allegedly linked to Adani Gas Pvt Ltd at Cacora in Curchorem, following weeks of mounting public pressure.
The demolition was carried out by the Curchorem-Cacora Municipal Council with support from district authorities, acting on a demolition order issued by Quepem Deputy Collector Manohar Karekar.
Sources informed that the facility was operating without mandatory permissions, and had earlier been served a stop-work notice.
Municipal officials said they had first issued a notice in November, followed by further warnings in December, after the company resumed work despite restrictions.
“We had clearly instructed them to stop construction and get the required technical clearances,” a council representative said.
Despite the directive, the company allegedly continued construction and operations, prompting authorities to initiate strict enforcement action.
The issue had earlier been raised at the monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly by Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral, who highlighted the potential dangers posed by the plant. Cabral had warned that the facility’s proximity—just a few metres from the Cacora ITI and a nearby special school run by Chetna Education Society —posed a serious safety risk if allowed to operate.
The action comes in the backdrop of growing unrest among residents, who had raised concerns over safety and the lack of transparency in permissions granted for the project. Locals had also accused authorities of delays in taking action and had warned of protests if immediate steps were not taken.
Sources informed that the intervention of the Deputy Collector’s office expedited the process, with the administration citing regulatory violations and public safety concerns as grounds for immediate demolition.
The incident has triggered political and civic reactions in the region, with many terming the demolition as a victory for people’s collective voice. At the same time, it has raised questions over how the facility was allowed to come up despite lacking clearances.
The civic body clarified that its action targeted the structural components and compound wall constructed on-site, while the matter concerning gas storage was escalated to the Deputy Collector, who subsequently issued the demolition order.
The Quepem sub-divisional magistrate had earlier directed the company to remove the unauthorised CNG storage and distribution unit, citing serious safety concerns as it is located near sensitive institutions, including a government ITI just 75 metres away and a special school run by Chetna Charitable Trust about 250 metres from the site.
