PANAJI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to initiate the process for removal of a few structures within the coastal regulation zone (CRZ), including a few steps, right on the beach at Vagator.
Responding to an application filed by Chapora villagers, Girish Gaonkar, Pradeep Halmalkar and four others, the tribunal noted that it was not important at this stage as to who was carrying out the construction activity, but that prima facie it was a clear violation of CRZ regulations.
TOI had reported on Thursday that the Goa tourism development corporation (GTDC) has leased out a stretch of 53,000 sq m on the shores of Vagator to two Delhi-based hospitality companies to run a 'model tourism-entertainment zone' for a period of 22 years.
The NGT bench comprising Justice V R Kingaonkar and Ajay A Deshpande directed GCZMA to serve notices for hearing the parties and initiate steps to remove the structures without delay. It has allowed two weeks time for the inquiry after a week of notice period. "The final outcome shall be reported to this tribunal within three weeks," the order states. If GCZMA fails to comply with the order, NGT has stated it would be constrained to take appropriate penal action against the member secretary.
The applicants represented by advocate Vishnu Naik had sought demolition of illegal construction of building, concrete wall and steps at the Vagator beach, alleging that these are in total violation of the CRZ notification. The constructions of the walls and steps have been carried out by cutting into the hill, which is part of the beach and its topography.
GTDC had acquired the land from a villager several years ago and plans to have the project up and running from the coming tourism season. Towards this end the developers recently began construction work of a hotel building immediately adjacent to the beach and partly with wood and laterite stones.
Responding to an application filed by Chapora villagers, Girish Gaonkar, Pradeep Halmalkar and four others, the tribunal noted that it was not important at this stage as to who was carrying out the construction activity, but that prima facie it was a clear violation of CRZ regulations.
TOI had reported on Thursday that the Goa tourism development corporation (GTDC) has leased out a stretch of 53,000 sq m on the shores of Vagator to two Delhi-based hospitality companies to run a 'model tourism-entertainment zone' for a period of 22 years.
The NGT bench comprising Justice V R Kingaonkar and Ajay A Deshpande directed GCZMA to serve notices for hearing the parties and initiate steps to remove the structures without delay. It has allowed two weeks time for the inquiry after a week of notice period. "The final outcome shall be reported to this tribunal within three weeks," the order states. If GCZMA fails to comply with the order, NGT has stated it would be constrained to take appropriate penal action against the member secretary.
The applicants represented by advocate Vishnu Naik had sought demolition of illegal construction of building, concrete wall and steps at the Vagator beach, alleging that these are in total violation of the CRZ notification. The constructions of the walls and steps have been carried out by cutting into the hill, which is part of the beach and its topography.
GTDC had acquired the land from a villager several years ago and plans to have the project up and running from the coming tourism season. Towards this end the developers recently began construction work of a hotel building immediately adjacent to the beach and partly with wood and laterite stones.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/National-Green-Tribunal-directs-Goa-Coastal-Zone-Management-Authority-to-remove-Goa-tourism-development-corporation-structures-at-Vagator/articleshow/34214012.cms
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