VASCO: The demolition of 38-odd structures out of total 121 structures at Katem Baina would be carried on Thursday from 7 am onwards with the South Goa administration having already started preparing for it.
It may be recalled that last week, following directions from the office of Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), the Deputy Collector Mormugao office through the Mormugao Mamlatdar’s office identified around 38 out of total 121 structures at Katem Baina which would face demolition. These structures are part of total 121 houses which the GCZMA had served final demolition order on April 13 2017. However, around 68 residents filed independent petitions before the High Court of Bombay at Goa challenging GCZMA’s demolition order and 11 independent applications were filed before NGT Pune.
Later on December 2017, the High Court bench disposed off all the petitions and inter-alia stayed the order of GCZMA for eight weeks. NGT stayed the demolition order in all 11 applications and the matter is now fixed on January 19.
Confirming the information, Deputy Collector Mormugao, Mahadev Arundekar said, “Yes after all formalities we have received communication from the demolition squad in charge that necessary arrangements to undertake demolition of 38 structures at Katem Baina have been made and the same would be taken up on January 18(Thursday).”
“Initially there were 121 structures. However, four structures naturally washed away due to high tidal waves during monsoon in past and except for 38 occupants others managed to obtain stay. On Thursday, we would start demolition of these 38 structures from 7 am and it might take a full day to demolish them,” he added.
