Dubious NOC for temporary wooden structures becomes tool for the construction of a permanent beach club and restaurant. No marks for guessing where- Anjuna

ANJUNA: Armed with permission only for a “temporary wooden restaurant”, a full-fledged permanent restaurant and club is being speedily constructed Survey Nos 213/17 and 213/18 of Anjuna. 

A ‘No Development Slope’ and ‘Natural Cover’ classification in the Regional Plan of 2021 has not come in the way of ‘Waters Beach Lounge and Grill Private Limited’, Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011, which specifically imposes restrictions on construction of permanent nature in ‘No Development Zone’ within 200 metres of High Tide Line (HTL) in CRZ III Area, according to a complaint filed by ex-Anjuna Sarpanch Surendra Govekar.

Govekar has written to the Environment Minister, Principal Secretary (Environment), Member Secretary GCZMA, Chief Town Planner, North Goa Collector, Deputy Collector, Directorate of Panchayats and Goa Police, seeking immediate action.

“This is a gross violation of the CRZ Notification 2011, as well as the Town & Country Planning Act and the Building Regulations,” the complaint stated.

Govekar in his complaint stated that illegal permanent construction activities are being carried out by ‘Waters Beach Lounge and Grill Private Limited’ at Ozran Vagator in the property bearing Survey Nos 213/17 and 213/18 of Anjuna, village in violation to approved permission issued by GCZMA for temporary wooden restaurant, which is a natural cover depicted in the Regional Plan 2021.

“The entire slope has been cut into a flat terrain, where the main hotel building, steps and compound wall are being constructed. The low-lying areas have been totally filled with mud and rubble, without obtaining any permission for land filling and hill cutting or taking any permission for conversion of the said land,” Govekar added.

When Team Herald visited the spot, it learnt that construction of permanent structure is being carried out with multiple floors using steel, cement, sand and laterite stones by cutting hill in a ‘No Development Slope’ and natural cover within 200 metres of HTL in CRZ III Zone.

The CRZ Notification 2011 requires compliance with the local Town and Country Planning Law and the Building Regulations for construction in the CRZ areas which specifically imposes restrictions of construction of permanent nature in a ‘No Development Zone’ within 200 metres of HTL in CRZ III areas.