AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
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The Arpora fire tragedy ap pears to have jolted au thorities into action, with the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) finally seal ing Curlies in South Anjuna, against which a court-or dered demolition had been pending for months. Despite the dem olition order, the es tablishment continued operations, as highlighted in a July 31 report by O Heraldo (‘Despite demolition order, Curlies thrives in Anjuna’). The premises were sealed on Goa’s Liberation Day.
Clarifying the action, a member of the sealing team, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that sealing did not mean the court’s demolition orders would not be com plied with. “The sealing was ordered because when the GCZMA team went to map the area, they were not allowed to do so,” the official stated. According to the directions to seal the premises, ac cessed by O Heraldo and dated December 18, 2025, the decision was taken after GCZMA officials were prevented from carrying out mapping of the structures on November 17, 2025, at around 11 am. “The managerial staff refused to disclose his identity and designation and stated that they had not received any notice from GCZMA and stopped the officials from carry ing out the mapping. Accordingly, the inspection could not be carried out,” the note stated. The note further mentioned that on another property bearing survey numbers 45/19 and 45/41 of Anjuna Vil lage Panchayat, a house was found but no one was present at the time of inspection. “The Registered AD addressed to respondents was returned unclaimed,” it added. As commercial activities were ongoing and officials were obstructed from performing their duties, the GCZMA decided to issue sealing orders through the Deputy Collec tor and proceed with the mapping of the structures.
