Team Herald
VASCO: The 15 days given by Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to 121 structures at Baina expired on June 10, and since then the sword of demolition has been hanging on the heads of the residents.
GCZMA sources said that as per the notices the affected parties were asked to file their reply with relevant documents and submit copies of construction/reconstruction/repair licence/approvals, if any issued by the concerned authorities along with the approved plan, as also the documents to show the title of property to the GCZMA office failing which final directions including order of demolition of structures, disconnection of water, power supply would be issued.
“Most of the people have filed a common reply with the claim that their structures existed prior to 1991 but no one produced any relevant documents supporting to their claims,” a GCZMA official said.
Meanwhile, the mystery over demolition continues to haunt Baina residents. Fearing demolition, a few occupants have vacated their homes keeping their structures locked and have taken shelter elsewhere. Many continue to occupy their structures with the hope that the government might have mercy on them by keeping the demolition plan in abeyance.
Sources in the Mormugao taluka administration said the date to demolish the 121 structures at Baina falling in the ‘No Development Zone’ is yet to be fixed; however, there is the possibility that the same may be scheduled after the rains.
“We have not received any demolition order yet, neither the order has been issued till date. We have got some clue that the demolition will take place after the rains as it would be inhuman to evict the residents during the rains,” an official said.
