MARGAO: Major drama unfolded at Colva Beach on Tuesday as the Tourism Department demolished illegal extensions to structures in its own property as well as a number of gaddas (handcarts and kiosks) as per the order of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).
However, politicians and lawyers also descended on the beach to help the affected owners of the shops that were demolished and condemned the action of the government.
Nonetheless, the Tourism Department officials completed nearly all of the scheduled demolitions while one of the owners managed to get a hearing regarding his case on Wednesday.
“Today, we demolished the illegal extensions done to the major structures which belong to the Department of Tourism. A total of 30 shops were up for demolition,” said Deputy Director of Tourism, Dhiraj Wagle.
“This is a High Court-monitored case and GCZMA had passed an order on October 13, giving the department one month’s time to comply with their directions, which we have followed,” Wagle added.
“We also removed all the illegal gaddas in survey no 37|11 as per the other directions we received,” he added.
One of the affected shop owners slammed the government for failing to give them enough time to act or obtain a stay. “We got the notice at 9.30 pm last night and the next morning, they began the demolition. They said we can do it ourselves but how are we supposed to arrange labour in such a short time. I only had a shop made of temporary materials like plastic. There are concrete structures on the beach, but the government takes no action there,” said the angry shop owner. He pointed out that he had a trade license from the government which was valid until 2035 but the government has now revoked the said license without giving him any reasons.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas urged Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte to allow these vendors to put up temporary sheds until there is a final
resolution.
He added that there are thousands of tourists who visit the beach per day and it would damage Goa and Colva’s image if they were deprived of places selling food on the beach. Adv Anacaleto Viegas also condemned the action and compared the government action to that of the Uttar Pradesh government where such ruthless demolitions had taken place.
The affected shop owners lamented that they had suffered during the pandemic but had paid all their staff and taxes to the government and had not received any financial support either.
