MAPUSA
The Supreme Court has dismissed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by local residents challenging the construction project undertaken by fashion designer Tarun Tahiliani at Ecoxim, Pomburpa effectively paving the way for the continuation of the development.
The petition was filed by Dhirendra Phadte and other villagers who had alleged that the construction was being carried out in an eco-sensitive zone and in violation of planning regulations.
The matter arose from a judgment dated October 15, 2025 delivered by the Bombay High Court at Goa in a public interest litigation.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Joymalya Bagchi heard the matter on March 9 and dismissed the SLP.
During the hearing, the court recorded that the respondent project proponent had already given an undertaking before the High Court that the construction would strictly adhere to the provisions applicable to a Settlement Zone under the Regional Plan 2021.
“In view of the undertaking given on behalf of the respondent project proponent, as recorded by the High Court in paragraph 34 of the impugned judgment to the effect that construction shall be raised as per Settlement Zone under the Regional Plan 2021, we see no reason to entertain this special leave petition,” the court observed in its order.
The court accordingly dismissed the petition and disposed of all pending applications.
The SLP had been filed by Phadte and other locals who had been opposing the project, alleging that the construction was being carried out in the eco-sensitive zone of Ecoxim village.
The petitioners had further alleged that the Town and Country Planning Department had colluded with developers to facilitate projects in no-development zones (NDZ), ignoring the ecological sensitivity of the area.
The controversy had earlier triggered protests in the village, with residents launching a sustained campaign against the project. Following the agitation, the local panchayat had even issued a stop-work order against the construction.
