Team Herald
PANJIM: The Department of Tourism has issued a show cause notice to a star hotel at Bambolim, for the unauthorised construction of a retaining wall and dumping of excavation debris along the beach area.
Acting on information received from reliable sources, officials from the department conducted an inspection on April 16. During the inspection, it was observed that the hotel had undertaken construction of a retaining wall approximately 300 metres in length abutting the beach. Additionally, debris from the excavation, including stones and remnants of metal wire, had been dumped across the beach.
Such activities are in violation of the Goa Tourist Places Protection and Maintenance Act, 2001, and constitute a public nuisance under the Act. The dumped material has been obstructing tourists and locals, hindering daily beach cleaning and lifeguarding operations, and adversely impacting the tourism potential of Bambolim Beach.
The department has directed the hotel to immediately clear all debris from the site and submit a response within seven days of receiving the notice, failing which necessary action will be initiated under the provisions of the Act.
Separately, on Tuesday, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) ordered the hotel to halt all work with immediate effect. The GCZMA also issued a show cause notice asking why demolition of the structures and restoration of the site to its original condition should not be directed.
The hotel management has been instructed not to carry out any form of civil work at the site. They have been asked to submit their reply, along with a compliance report and relevant construction licences or approvals—if any—issued by the concerned authorities including the GCZMA, along with the approved plans, to the GCZMA office in Panjim by April 24.
Complaints regarding the alleged illegal construction were filed by Sant Andre MLA Viresh Borkar, AAP leader Ramrao Wagh, and Goa Green Brigade convenor Avertino Miranda.