AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
TEMBWADA, MORJIM: Just days after the devastating fire at Birch by Romeo Lane in Arpora that tarnished Goa’s tourism image world wide, locals and fishermen in Morjim’s Tembwada are out raged over Bastian Riviera — a glamorous new restaurant inaugurated barely eleven days ago — continuing oper ations despite a demolition order from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA). The upscale venue, oper ated by Bastian Hospitality and built on land owned by Carrick Bend LLP and Ajay Vaghani, has drawn sharp criticism for multiple CRZ violations. Following two site inspections, the GCZMA directed the demolition of il legal structures and restora tion of the land to its original condition. “Remove the blockage ob structing the traditional beach access and restore the land,” read one of the key directives issued to the violators. Bastian Riviera gained instant spotlight when CEO Ranjit Bindra and Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty inaugu rated the project, just before the Arpora incident spot lighted regulatory lapses in Goa’s nightlife sector. “It is shocking that, even af ter the Birch tragedy, author ities have allowed this venue to operate despite clear GCZ MA demolition directions,” said a resident, speaking on condition of anonymity. Documents seen by this newspaper reveal that in its 464th meeting on July 10, 2025, the GCZMA ordered Carrick Bend Realty LLP to demolish eight structures, including high RCC plinth beams, masonry walls, MS channel structures with GI sheet roofing, and RCC tanks on the western side, among others. All prior permissions were suspended until full compliance. “The builders have blocked our traditional beach access and erected concrete struc tures right up to the water front, encroaching into the CRZ area. Yet authorities re main silent,” said fisherman Albert Fernandes. Described on its Instagram page as featuring a pyra mid-inspired design, private cabanas, water courtyards, and an outdoor bar drawingfrom Egypt, Mykonos, and Du bai, the venue reflects CEO Ranjit Bindra’s vision to elevate India’s leisure scene with “his deep ties to Goa”.
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But for locals, the glamour masks deeper concerns: repeated overlooking of illegalities by au thorities. “The case is complicated as demolition orders apply to some survey numbers but not others. It depends on where the trade licence was issued,” said Morjim Sarpanch Mukesh Gadekar. The order specifically targets structures in survey nos. 118, 118/0, 118/1-S-1 to 118/1-S-4, mandating restoration within 30 days from July 10, 2025, failing which the Deputy Collector and SDO were supposed to act. With no visible enforcement, fishermen Ajit Volvoikar and Dik shay Phadte plan to approach the National Green Tribunal in Pune, citing GCZMA’s lax implementation. Tembwada hosts a Forest De partment hatchery for Olive Ri dley turtles. “River mouths are prime nesting sites, though not yet utilised here,” noted Aaron Victor Fernandes from the Goa State Biodiversity Board’s herpe tofauna sub-committee. No noise pollution complaints have reached Mandrem Police or the Goa State Pollution Control Board so far. An email query sent to Carrick Bend Realty LLP’s Man aging Director seeking explana tion for non-compliance with the GCZMA order went unanswered till press time.
