PANJIM: The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) on Friday informed the High Court of Bombay at Goa that it had already removed 33 out of 60 illegal hoardings erected in the capital city and that remaining hoardings were in the process of being removed. These 27 hoardings will be removed within next two weeks.
The Penha-de-Franca village panchayat also submitted that all the hoardings falling within the No-Development Zone (NDZ) were already covered with cloth and electricity connection of some of them were disconnected. Only two hoardings which are at a height were not covered including one displaying the name of a tobacco company.
During hearing on a suo motu petition in the matter of illegal hoardings, CCP’s counsel Adv S Karpe said that seven petitions are pending out of which five are pending before the High Court and two matters are in appeal before the Appellate Court, wherein stay has been granted. He told the Court that necessary affidavit will be filed within next two weeks by stating about compliance.
Adv P Faldessai, appearing for the Penha-de-Franca village panchayat further submitted that the electricity connection to one of the hoardings is now not in operation and the same is not glowing during the night. He said that he will file an affidavit in compliance within next two weeks.
But the Court directed the owner of the said land, where the hoarding exists to cover it with cloth immediately. And to hand over the copy of this order to the land owner through the panchayat secretary.
As per the site inspection carried out by the GCZMA, as many as 20 hoardings were found to be erected within CRZ-III (River-NDZ) as per Coastal Zone Management Authority 2011 and all were displayed on the riverside land, within the limits of Penha De Franca village panchayat.
The Court has now posted the matter for further hearing on January 19.
