TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Throwing light on the hurried demolition drive in Baina, the south Goa district collector stated that the authorities were following the court order and also highlighted the dangers to the hutments posed by the increasing high tide line.
“We haven’t decided the date of demolition; the court has directed. We haven’t gone ahead with demolitions in the rains on purpose. The demolition issue has been going on from June 2014, and in June the area was cited as a disaster-prone area. Hence, this demolition is a continuation of the procedure which began last year and is being executed this year with proper time given to the defense,” reasoned Collector Sachin Shinde, adding, “The High Court has given us a tip to proceed with the demolition under another section, which empowers us to move as and when we want.”
Shinde also expressed concern about the sand dunes on Baina beach getting washed away. He said, “The sand dunes issue is a major cause for concern. To protect the people and for the larger environmental interest we had to go ahead with the demolition.”
Government officials highlighted the increasing high-tide threat and recalled how the beach stretch of Velsao, Keta- Baina, Khola and Canaguinim suffered severe damage due to unprecedented soil erosion last year.
50 huts were demolished on Saturday morning, even as the hut owners rushed to the District Civil Court for an injunction and restoration of their electricity and water connections. They were informed that their petition was kept for arguments on July 1. The petition stands in fructuous as the structures cease to exist, stated their advocate Prasad Desai.
