+
HC orders Goa govt to create SOP for illegal constructions in 2 weeks
Real Estate

HC orders Goa govt to create SOP for illegal constructions in 2 weeks

Referring to the sheer magnitude of illegal structures in a ward at Arambol, the High Court of Bombay at Goa directed the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), the director of panchayats, and the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to coordinate and create a system with standard operating procedures (SOPs) to address illegal constructions, ensuring that offenders are held accountable.

The High Court noted a lack of cooperation among various government authorities and departments, which benefited the offenders. The court emphasized that if no appeals are filed, demolitions must be executed and environmental damage promptly assessed.

The court stated that once a demolition order is issued, consent to operate should be withdrawn immediately, and it stressed the need for all involved agencies to be aware of ongoing actions. The government was given two weeks to develop the plan, with the court warning that it would impose its own SOPs if necessary. The bench, hearing a suo motu petition on illegal constructions in one Arambol ward with over 200 illegal structures, expressed that such matters should not reach the High Court.

Among these illegal structures, 28 were linked to former sarpanch Bernard Fernandes and his family. The court was informed that the family had demolished 10 temporary structures, while the remaining 18 were permanent, some being multi-storey buildings with swimming pools. The former sarpanch's counsel argued that these constructions predated his election to the panchayat and that no resolutions or licenses for his structures were issued during his tenure.

Referring to the sheer magnitude of illegal structures in a ward at Arambol, the High Court of Bombay at Goa directed the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), the director of panchayats, and the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to coordinate and create a system with standard operating procedures (SOPs) to address illegal constructions, ensuring that offenders are held accountable. The High Court noted a lack of cooperation among various government authorities and departments, which benefited the offenders. The court emphasized that if no appeals are filed, demolitions must be executed and environmental damage promptly assessed. The court stated that once a demolition order is issued, consent to operate should be withdrawn immediately, and it stressed the need for all involved agencies to be aware of ongoing actions. The government was given two weeks to develop the plan, with the court warning that it would impose its own SOPs if necessary. The bench, hearing a suo motu petition on illegal constructions in one Arambol ward with over 200 illegal structures, expressed that such matters should not reach the High Court. Among these illegal structures, 28 were linked to former sarpanch Bernard Fernandes and his family. The court was informed that the family had demolished 10 temporary structures, while the remaining 18 were permanent, some being multi-storey buildings with swimming pools. The former sarpanch's counsel argued that these constructions predated his election to the panchayat and that no resolutions or licenses for his structures were issued during his tenure.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

97 Per Cent Of Rongjeng-Mangsang-Adokgre Road Nears Completion

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of public works Prestone Tynsong said in Shillong on 26 August that 97 per cent physical progress had been achieved on the ongoing Rongjeng-Mangsang-Adokgre road being constructed under the Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR). He noted the project was sanctioned in 2017 and that the stipulated time for completion had been 24 months from issue of the final work order. The deputy chief minister informed the assembly that the government had decided to include the remaining work under a World Bank project. In reply to a query from Rongjeng MLA Jim M Sangm..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

First TBM Starts Digging Five Point Three Kilometre Tunnel Under SGNP

The Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) Phase three (B) project has reached a key milestone as the first tunnel boring machine (TBM) began excavation of the first of two tunnels beneath the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The machine, named Tulsi, started cutting a five point three kilometre bore that will link Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari in Goregaon East with Amar Nagar in Mulund West. Officials issued a statement noting the commencement of tunnelling work under the protected green belt. The twin tunnels are being constructed using mechanised tunnelling methods that aim to limit surface di..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

UP Approves Two Expressways And Rs 240 bn Infrastructure Push

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved a series of infrastructure and industrial investment proposals totalling Rs 240 billion (Rs 240 bn), including two major expressway projects, a manufacturing and logistics cluster in Sultanpur and incentives for 11 industrial projects across the state. The decisions, taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, underline the state government’s focus on expanding road connectivity around emerging industrial hubs while attracting manufacturing investment to districts beyond major urban centres. The approvals cover both greenfield expressway c..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code