Team Herald
CALANGUTE: The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) on Thursday carried out inspection of illegal constructions at Khobrawaddo, Calangute.
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The inspection was carried out following directives by the High Court of Bombay at Goa. Earlier, three illegal structures were demolished in survey number 209/5 at Calangute on November 6, following High Court order.
During the inspection, the GCZMA officials found that there were many structures including a shop, which are situated in the CRZ-III and partly out of CRZ area. But since the plot is large in area and partly falling in CRZ and many structures at the site, the GCZMA recommended to carry out mapping of the survey number using DGPS.
According to Egidio Braganza, owner of the property 209/5, stated that the illegal structures were built in 2009 by encroaching on his property despite his objections. These structures had no Occupancy Certificate and no NOC from GCZMA or any construction licence and were being used for commercial operations. Though he had filed complaints with the Calangute village panchayat, no action was taken. The panchayat would inward the complaints and issue ceremonious notices, but no action was taken, he said.
Shockingly, the said illegal structures even had house numbers issued by the village panchayat as well as electricity and water connection.
As no action was taken by the Calangute panchayat, Braganza approached the Directorate of Panchayats and a demolition order was finally passed on March 9, 2022 by the Deputy Director of Panchayats. But since constructions were not demolished, Braganza approached the High Court.
On November 6, the authorities razed three structures but the occupant approached the Deputy Director of Panchayats and obtained a stay. The High Court later directed the Deputy Director of Panchayats to hear and dispose the appeal within next three month.
