In a decisive assertion of citizens’ power over unchecked development, the North Goa Prin cipal District and Sessions Court on Friday ordered the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) to immediately stop construction for the controversial Unity Mall project near Toyyar Lake, Chimbel, and to maintain the status quo un til the matter is heard on its mer its. The main petition challenging the construction licence issued by the Chimbel Village Panchayat is scheduled for January 8, 2026. The court’s directive follows sustained opposition from vil lagers, environmental activists, and local leaders, who have long warned that the Unity Mall threat ens one of Goa’s critical ecological catchments. Govind Shirodkar, Chairman of the Biodiversity Man agement Committee and Wet land Toyyar Lake, had filed a civil revision application demanding urgent intervention to halt ongo ing excavation and construction activities. Shirodkar, who also serves as president of the Chimbel Gram Seva Kala Ani Saunskrutic Manch, had previously approached the High Court of Bombay at Goa through a public interest litiga tion, challenging the GTDC’s activ ities on grounds that the project lacked mandatory permissions and would endanger Toyyar Lake, a vital source for groundwater re charge, biodiversity, and the liveli hoods of local indigenous and trib al communities. Reacting to the court order, Shi rodkar said, “The Court has taken strong note of the matter. Despite the stay order and the require ment to maintain the status quo, the Village Panchayat issued the construction licence. Our hunger strike entered its sixth day on Fri day, and we have convened a pub lic meeting on Sunday morning to decide the next plan of action.” The controversy intensified af ter the Chimbel Village Panchayat initially rejected the GTDC’s con struction licence application on October 16, 2025. However, the GTDC appealed to the Block Devel opment Officer (BDO) of Tiswadi, who overturned the Panchayat’s decision on November 28, order ing the issuance of the licence within 24 hours.
Both the Panchayat and Shirodkar challenged the BDO’s order before the North Goa Deputy Director of Panchayats, which was dismissed, effectively upholding the BDO’s directive. Shirodkar swiftly filed a revision application under Section 201-B of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, seeking ex-parte interim relief, successfully securing a tempo rary stay on the execution of the BDO’s order. Despite this, the GTDC produced a construction licence on De cember 6, 2025, intensifying the legal battle. Representing Shirodkar, Adv Om D’Costa told the court, “Construction activities are going on in full force, and if the respondents are not stopped, the application will become infructuous.” GTDC counsel Shivan Dessai countered, saying the order was inoperative as the con struction licence had already been issued and argued that the applicant had no locus standi to object to a pub lic project. Meanwhile, villagers have shown unrelenting deter mination. Six days into a hunger strike near the pro posed site, they announced a public meeting on Sunday, January 4, to decide their next steps. Velim MLA Cruz Silva condemned the state govern ment, stating, “The government appears to be prioritis ing the interests of wealthy and influential groups over those of ordinary Goans. The proposed project poses a threat to Chimbel’s environment and amounts to a be trayal of public trust. Despite widespread opposition to the Unity Mall from all sections of society, the BJP gov ernment’s insistence on pushing the project forward raises serious questions. AAP stands firmly with the residents of Chimbel.” Chimbel villager Tukaram Kunkolkar hailed the court’s decision as a significant victory. “Today, the Dis trict Court ordered a stop to the ongoing work of the Unity Mall until January 8. This is a major victory in our battle. Let us all unite in our efforts to achieve a com plete victory against the Unity Mall project. I appeal to Chimbel villagers to come forward and join forces in this fight to protect our biodiversity.” The ruling marks a rare triumph of grassroots activ ism against entrenched political and corporate interests in Goa, underscoring the effectiveness of sustained pub lic mobilization and legal action in defending environ mental and community rights.
