HC issues notice to MMC on CRZ violations

HC issues notice to MMC on CRZ violations
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, FEB 24
The tussle between Mormugoa Port Trust (MPT) and Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has now reached the corridors of law.
The Bombay High Court at Goa Tuesday issued show-cause notice to MMC over alleged failure to take action against Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violators at Vaddem Bay in port town. 
The notice was issued in response to the petition filed by MPT alleging that MMC has not taken action despite earlier directives of the Court.
When the matter came up for hearing Tuesday morning, the senior counsel Vijay Nadkarni appearing on  behalf of MPT submitted that  around 194 illegal hutments have come at Vaddem in violation of the CRZ Notification, 1991 and the Environment Protection Act, 1986, while authorities turned the blind eye.
MPT has proposed to bear the cost of rehabilitation of alleged illegal occupants to Adarshnagar area under the Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and, demanded that no further structures should be allowed to be erected within 100 meters of the CRZ III area along the River Zuari during the pendency of the petition. 
The Court though refused to grant the prayer without hearing the other party, it said any further constructions in the bay area will be subject to this petition. The matter has been listed for further hearing on March 3.