Clearance Violations Soar in Dabolim Funnel Zone Amid Official Apathy

Dabolim has become a flashpoint of growing concern following a surge in unauthorized constructions within the airport’s sensitive funnel zone—an area where stringent building restrictions are critical to ensuring flight safety. Recent reports reveal a proliferation of high-rise buildings, many of which lack mandatory clearances from the Indian Navy, heightening the risk to aviation operations and flouting legal frameworks.

The Bombay High Court has repeatedly issued harsh criticisms over the years, rebuking authorities for failing to act on illegal structures despite multiple demolition orders. In a landmark 2018 judgment, Justices M. S. Sonak and M. S. Jawalkar censured the Mormugao Port Development Authority (MPDA), the Chicalim Panchayat, and the State government for their inaction. The court also named developers Dinesh Nadar and Kamla Prasad Yadav—now the Sarpanch of the Chicalim Panchayat—as central figures in the ongoing violations. Yadav was found to have overseen construction activities carried out without necessary No Objection Certificates (NOC) from naval authorities.

Despite persistent warnings from the Navy and clear court directives, enforcement efforts remain weak. Activists like Alexander Michael allege that political interference has compromised regulatory oversight, with occupancy certificates reportedly being issued even without naval clearance. Authorities claim that demolition drives have begun, but critics argue the efforts are piecemeal and too slow, triggering contempt petitions and fresh judicial scrutiny.

This crisis underscores a twofold failure: developers openly flouting aviation safety regulations, and local bodies abdicating their enforcement responsibilities. The High Court has unambiguously placed blame on the MPDA, the Chicalim Panchayat, and the State administration, while spotlighting Nadar and Yadav as key violators. Aviation experts and concerned citizens warn that continued negligence could precipitate a major disaster, stressing the urgent need for decisive and immediate corrective action.