PANJIM: The Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) has filed a writ petition before the High Court of Bombay at Goa seeking directions to government authorities for the immediate removal of an allegedly illegal structure/statue erected on port land bearing Chalta No. 42, P.T. Sheet No. 30 of City Survey Vasco.
The MPA also requested the Court to direct the respondents, pending the hearing and final disposal. of the petition, to ensure no further work of any kind is carried out on the structure. The property falls within the definition of “public premises” under the Public Premis-es (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971.
The State government, South Goa Collector, Mor-mugao Deputy Collector, Bogda Police Station and the Mormugao Municipal Council are named as respondents in the petition.
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According to the MPA, on February 16, 2026, it noticed that unknown persons had allegedly encroached upon the property and erected a statue without authorisa tion. The statue, mounted on a mild steel framework, was completely covered, with only a sword visible from the outside. As a result, the identity or details of the statue remain unknown. Photographs of the structure have been annexed to the petition.
The MPA stated that despite inquiring about those responsible for the alleged illegal activity, it had no option but to seek timely intervention from the authorities.
It wrote to the police station requesting deployment of personnel to facilitate the statue’s removal. Copies of the communication were also sent to the South Goa Collector, Mormugao Deputy Collector, Mormugao Mamlatdar and the Chief Officer of the MMC, urging immediate stoppage of work and removal of the structure.
The petitioner alleged that despite receiving the communication, the Chief Officer of the MMC failed to initiate any action regarding the alleged illegality. Due to the authorities’ inaction, the covered structure remains on the property, with further activities like ground levelling and clearing of the surrounding area reportedly underway.
The writ petition is likely to be mentioned for urgent circulation before the Division Bench on Monday, February 23.
SHIVAJI STATUE UNVEILED AT SADA DESPITE MPA’S LEGAL CHALLENGE
VASCO: Mormugao MLA Sankalp Amonkar on Thursday evening presided over the unveiling of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Sada Junction, even as the Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) approached the High Court of Bombay at Goa challenging development on the land.
The statue was unveiled with fireworks and chanting of “Har Har Mahadev”, “Jai Shivaji” and “Jai Bhavani”. Referring to the dispute with the MPA, Amonkar said he had corresponded with the Authority several times over the years seeking an NOC for installing the statue on the land, which according to him, was unused.
