TEAM HERALD
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PERNEM: In a major demolition drive, 90 structures violating Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Rules were demolished along the Arambol-Mandrem coastal belt on Wednesday.
The drive to demolish 10 shacks and over 80 huts was carried out by authorities acting on directives of the High Court. A strong police force was present at the site and most of the demolitions were completed in Arambol. The drive is expected to continue in Mandrem on Thursday.
The drive began on Wednesday in the presence of Pernem Deputy Collector Meena Naik Goltikar, CRZ officials, Pernem PI Tushar Lotlikar and the police team.
Anticipating the demolition, some owners removed their structures to save their property from getting damaged, while officials cleared the remaining illegal constructions using an earthmover.
“The structures were in violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms. The order was passed to demolish the illegal structures and as per the High Court directives, I have to implement it,” stated Pernem Deputy Collector Goltikar.
“Ninety-eight per cent of the demolition was completed in Arambol, in which 10 shacks and over 80 huts were demolished in Arambol on Wednesday. The drive will continue in remaining parts of Arambol and then in Mandrem,” added Goltikar.
The drive was peaceful except for some minor dispute between the shack owners, sources informed.
Meanwhile, locals have accused authorities of targeting small businesses while leaving out the big resorts.
“We are traditional fishermen and toddy tappers. There was no construction and those were our huts which were used for some tourist business like selling juices, tea coffee, etc, during the tourist season,” said Francis Fernandes from Arambol.
Sources informed that there are about 12 big resorts violating CRZ norms from Arambol to Mandrem coastal stretch.
“Big resorts with heavy construction activity in CRZ area are not demolished, but we small-time tourism traders are being targeted and deprived of our livelihood,” alleged Luis Fernandes, another local from Arambol.
