PANJIM: The Supreme Court of India has upheld the order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) passed on March 19, 2014, directing a resort owner from Velsao to demolish/dismantle the structure and to restore the land to the original position.
The NGT had directed the resort owner to demolish/dismantle the entire structure within three weeks and to remove all the debris, filth etc from the site at his own costs. If the owner fails to do so then the same shall be demolished by the South Goa Collector at the cost and risk of the resort owner and to recover such cost as per the provisions of the Land Revenue Code.
The resort owner was further directed to restore the original position of the site after demolishing the structure within two weeks and to deposit Rs 10 lakh with the Collector for restoration of the environment, the NGT had said while hearing an application filed by Manuel Rodrigues of Velsao, who had alleged violation of CRZ Notification of 1991.
However, the resort owner filed an appeal before the Apex Court, who stayed the execution of the judgement pending consideration of the civil appeal. The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal on September 27, 2022, after hearing all parties and the South Goa Collector has now two months to execute the order and file compliance before the Apex Court.
The Goa Foundation has written to the South Goa Collector asking for action.
