Team Herald
MARGAO: The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal filed by the owners of Silver Sands Hotel in Colva bringing an end to the legal battle to save the hotel.
On December 5, 2018, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority had issued a demolition order against the hotel based on a complaint filed by Colva Civic and Consumer Forum. The hotel’s structures were under the scanner for violation of CRZ notification. According to the GCZMA, all the structures were constructed after 1991 and are therefore illegal.
The owners of Silver Sands Hotel had then approached the National Green Tribunal in an appeal against the demolition order. On January 3, 2019, NGT dismissed the appeal. They then approached the Supreme Court. On January 11, the SC granted temporary relief to the owners. However, on Friday, after hearing the appeal from their advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, the SC Judges Justice Sikri and Justice Nazeer disposed their appeal.
Judith Almeida of CCCF informed Herald that it is now up to the government to demolish the illegal structures as soon as possible. “This should be a precedent for all investors who think they can come to Goa to do such illegalities and destroy our beaches,” Almeida said.
