OLD GOA: Axe finally fell on the illegal structures that were constructed by BJP leader Anil Hoble in violation of CRZ rules at Morombi-O-Grande, Merces, along the Patto-Ribandar causeway, on Thursday.
The action comes in the wake of the High Court refusing to grant relief to Hoble against the National Green Tribunal order directing demolition of the illegal structures.
The demolition squad was led by Tiswadi Mamlatdar Madhu Narvekar upon the directives of the Deputy Collector cum SDO Sabaji Shetye and was accompanied by GCZMA technical officer Fletcher Fernandes, field surveyors of Directorate of Settlement and Land Records, and others.
The surveyors initially identified the structures, which were later earmarked for demolition.
However, before the demolition could begin, Hoble sought some time to salvage over 100 barrels of lubricants and some other items that were stored in one of the structures earmarked for demolition, due to which the demolition exercise was delayed for a while.
Finally, the JCB machine moved in and began the demolition, which took over three hours.
However, Hoble’s River Lounge restaurant and some other structures were left untouched. The restaurant was open for business on Thursday evening.
When questioned over the same, Deputy Collector Shetye said that according to the NGT order only those structures that fall under 65/1A and 83/2A have been ordered to demolish.
GCZMA Technical Officer, Fernandes also refused to throw light on the reason for leaving the other structures untouched.
Later, speaking to the media, Hoble said that he accepts the verdict of the law agencies. However, he decried that he was not given any prior intimation about the demolition.
“I came to know about the demolition through my staff when they told me that the Mamlatdar and other authorities have come at the site with a bulldozer,” he said and added that he did not get enough time to salvage useful materials.
A large posse of police personnel from Old Goa Police Station, led by PSI Dhiraj Devidas was present at the site to prevent any untoward incident.
