Team Herald
PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Thursday issued notices to the State government, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and others with regard to the construction being carried out within 100 metres from the boundary of the ancient monument i.e. Fort Aguada at Sinquerim, Candolim.
The petitioner Calangute Constituency Forum in its public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition had stated that illegal construction was being carried out in the ecologically sensitive area without obtaining permissions, development permission and technical clearance. It was pointed out that under the provisions of the Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulations, 2010, a no-objection certificate was required from the Director General of the ASI, New Delhi, before any permission could be considered under the building regulations.
Representing the petitioner, Adv Rohit Bras De Sa stated that the construction area falls under CRZ–1 A and was designated as an ecologically sensitive zone, requiring permission from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and the Candolim Village Panchayat. He said that despite legal representations, the State authorities refused to act against them and neglected their duty to address illegal construction and enforce CRZ Regulations 2019.
He stated that the concerned State authorities be asked to hold a site inspection immediately and after carrying out the inspection, to immediately seal the said structures as it was in complete violation of the Goa (Regulation of Land Development and Building Construction) 2010.
Notices have also been issued to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department, Department of Tourism, GTDC, Director of Panchayats, GCZMA, Forest Department, North Goa Collector, Candolim village panchayat and others, returnable on September 19.