PANJIM: River and Navigation Department has said that it will implement the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) order on hoardings along the Mandovi in Penha de Franca once it receives it.
Speaking to O Heraldo, River and Navigation Department Director Vikramsingh Raje Bhosle said, “The department has not received the order and will comply with it once we receive it.”
Around four years ago, the River and Navigation Department had given its premises of around 100 metres area for commercial use at a rate of Rs one lakh per month with the approval of the state government and following the process of tender.
Penha de Franca Panchayat Secretary S S Phadte said, “We have not received the order yet. However, once we receive it we will take action accordingly”.
The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has recently issued orders for demolition of several hoardings along Mandovi in Penha de Franca panchayat. The directions have been issued as the hoardings were found to be in the no development zone of CRZ. The authority noted that the violators were using the hoardings for commercial purpose.
In December last year, the High Court directed 20 owners of the land wherein hoardings were existing in No Development Zone (NDZ) as well as the companies using them, to immediately stop displaying the advertisements by covering them with cloth.
The Court had also directed the Electricity Department to disconnect the power connections of these 20 hoardings.
In the past, the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court had issued a directive to the Directorate of Panchayats, seeking an explanation regarding banned hoardings by tobacco manufacturing companies along both sides of the Mandovi River.
The CCP had assured the bench that steps would be taken to remove the illegal hoardings within its jurisdiction.
