Team Herald
MARGAO: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has criticised the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) for its “cryptic” response in a case involving a firm accused of unauthorised construction of ‘vacation condominiums’ at Colva. The NGT noted that the GCZMA had not sufficiently addressed the concerns raised by the appellant, who argued that the construction extended over an area nearly double what was permitted by the authorities.
The complaint to the NGT alleged that the firm not only expanded its project beyond the approved area but also filled up a water body to build a swimming pool. The appellant approached the tribunal after the GCZMA dismissed the proceedings against the firm. The NGT has now instructed the GCZMA to re-examine the matter and conduct a fresh hearing.
During its review, the tribunal observed that the GCZMA’s affidavit failed to address all the points raised by the appellant in her initial affidavit dated October 19, 2023.
One of the critical points highlighted by the tribunal was the discrepancy between the approved and constructed floor area. As per the approved plan from 1995, the construction area was set at 1,431 square metres. However, the appellant claimed that the actual construction covered 2,850 sq mtrs. When questioned about this discrepancy, the counsel for the respondents could not provide a satisfactory answer. They insisted that the construction did not exceed the approved 1,431 sq mtrs, but there was no evidence to substantiate this claim.
“It would certainly require a site inspection and measurement of the area constructed upon to be conducted by the GCZMA. Then only can it be ascertained. It does not appear to have been done,” the tribunal remarked.