GTDC’s claims of compliance contested by Chimbel residents
PANAJI
The North Goa District and Sessions Court on Friday reiterated its directions stalling all construction activity of the proposed Pradhan Mantri Ekta Mall (Unity Mall) at Chimbel till January 8, following fresh allegations that work had resumed in defiance of earlier court orders.
The directions were passed while hearing a revision petition filed by residents of Chimbel, who alleged that the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), the project proponent, had restarted construction despite the court suspending the mall’s construction licence till January 8.
Govind Shirodkar, chairman of the Chimbel Biodiversity Management Committee, alleged the construction activity had resumed even as the matter remained sub judice.
The court’s reiteration came amid mounting opposition from residents, who have been on hunger strike for a week.
The villagers recently held a press conference claiming that the project site falls within a watershed area and has not obtained mandatory clearance from the Goa Biodiversity Board. They alleged that the land hosts several natural springs that feed nearby lakes, making the area ecologically sensitive.
A day prior, the Tourism Department announced that construction of the Unity Mall had officially commenced, asserting that all mandatory No Objection Certificates had been obtained and that the project held a valid construction licence issued by the Chimbel village panchayat. In a press release, the department stated that the project was fully compliant with statutory requirements and was located outside any buffer zone.
The dispute dates back to GTDC’s initial application for a construction licence, which was rejected by the Chimbel panchayat citing document discrepancies and strong local opposition. GTDC later approached the Tiswadi Block Development Officer, who allegedly issued directions to grant the licence. Residents challenged this move and secured interim relief.
Earlier, the court had also granted an interim stay on an order of the Deputy Director of Panchayats (North), temporarily relieving the panchayat from issuing a construction licence to GTDC, with the stay continuing until the next hearing.
