Team Herald
PANJIM: Two citizens have filed a public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition before the High Court of Bombay at Goa challenging the land acquired by the Chief Secretary at Aldona after converting it into settlement.
The petitioners Direndra Phadte of Ecoxim, Bardez and Jose Maria Miranda of Borda-Margao have prayed that the respondents the State government, Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) be directed to withdraw/revoke the notification/order dated March 14, 2024 issued by the TCP Department.
They have prayed that the authorities be directed to remove the ‘illegal’ structures in the paddy field and to restore the field to its original condition.
The petitioners have challenged the illegal change of zone of the property bearing Survey No. 36/1 of Village Aldona, Bardez Taluka from paddy field to settlement zone in the Regional Plan 2021 under Section 17 (2) of the TCP Act, 1974. By the said zone change, an entirely illegal bungalow and house has been constructed within the paddy field, which had been provided with a quasi-legal cover for eventual regularisation. The entire property falls within the No Development Zone (NDZ) of the Coastal Regulations Zone (CRZ) as indicated in the notified Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), where no zone may be changed except for the revision of the CZMP as the zoning therein follows the requirements of the Notification and overrides the effect of local laws.
The High Court has issued notices to all six respondents and has posted the matter for hearing on October 22. Adv Rohit Bras De Sa is representing both the petitioners.