PANJIM: As a last chance, the High Court of Bombay at Goa granted two months time to Estonio Francisco De Almeida to complete the restoration work of a hill near Taleigao Church in terms of North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA) plan.
While hearing a writ petition and miscellaneous civil application filed by former Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Mayor Tony Rodrigues, a Division Bench comprising Justice Mahesh Sonak and Justice B P Deshpande also ordered the NGPDA authorities to inspect the site after one month and prepare a report on whether the works are going on the desired place.
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“The NGPDA must file a further status report by January 8, 2024. If by December 31, 2023, the works are not complete, the Court will consider forfeiting of the amounts deposited apart from further action in terms of the law,” the Bench said.
Earlier, the NGPDA had filed a site inspection report which was contested by Estonio Francisco De Almeida.
The NGPDA had in its reports submitted that Almeida had not complied with the undertakings furnished by him.
According to the NGPDA report, while the retaining wall no 1 and 3 were partially constructed, wall no 2, 4 and 5 were not constructed.
The High Court had directed De Almeida to construct the retaining walls in terms of the plans furnished by the NGPDA.
However, De Almeida had sought four months’ time to complete the work in all respects.
“As a last chance, a further two months extension is granted to De Almeida to complete the works in terms of the NGPDA plans. The NGPDA authorities must inspect the site after one month and prepare a report on whether the works are going at the desired pace,” the Bench said.
In June this year, the Court had directed NGPDA to restore a hill and to recover the expenses towards the restoration from De Almeida. Adv Rohit Bras De Sa is arguing on behalf of the petitioner Tony Rodrigues.
The matter has now been posted for compliance/consideration of status report on January 15, 2014.
