Goa: GCZMA Slaps Rs 7.7 Mn Fine for CRZ Violation in Arambol

07 Jan 2025 CW Team

Following this, the high court directed the Pernem Police Inspector and Arambol panchayat to seal the structure. In November 2023, the court expressed disappointment that its order for the demolition of the illegal structure had been misinterpreted, causing a delay in the demolition by the panchayat.

The court further granted the Directorate of Panchayat the authority to recover the costs incurred due to the panchayat’s delay.

In July 2024, GCZMA’s expert members conducted a site inspection and found that the structure was situated in the no-development zone of CRZ-III, within the mangrove buffer zone, classified as CRZ-1A. They observed that the violator had not fully demolished the structures.

However, the GCZMA experts concluded that the violator should be held accountable for the environmental damage and degradation caused.

The GCZMA stated that the respondent was obligated to compensate for the environmental harm by funding ecological restoration and restoring the land to its original condition, as required by the CRZ Notification of 2011 and the Environmental Protection Act. This included removing residue and RCC footings below ground level. Despite previous inspections by the GCZMA team, the site had not been cleared.

The GCZMA clarified that it used May 4, 2017, as the starting date for calculating compensation, extending to August 2024, which amounted to more than seven years. The compensation amount was determined by multiplying the number of years by the area of violation in square meters, then multiplying by Rs 2,590 per square metre. This amount had been established earlier by the GCZMA in a study on environmental compensation for coastal damage.

Based on this formula, the GCZMA calculated the compensation amount to be Rs 7.7 million.

The GCZMA explained that this formula was applied because the respondent had committed violations in the NDZ area, resulting in significant damage to the local ecology and biodiversity.

The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) imposed an environmental compensation of Rs 7.7 million for the construction of a ground plus four-storey structure within 50 metres of the CRZ area in Arambol. The violation was discovered after a local resident approached the high court in 2023, alleging that various local authorities had failed to take action against the CRZ breach. Following this, the high court directed the Pernem Police Inspector and Arambol panchayat to seal the structure. In November 2023, the court expressed disappointment that its order for the demolition of the illegal structure had been misinterpreted, causing a delay in the demolition by the panchayat. The court further granted the Directorate of Panchayat the authority to recover the costs incurred due to the panchayat’s delay. In July 2024, GCZMA’s expert members conducted a site inspection and found that the structure was situated in the no-development zone of CRZ-III, within the mangrove buffer zone, classified as CRZ-1A. They observed that the violator had not fully demolished the structures. However, the GCZMA experts concluded that the violator should be held accountable for the environmental damage and degradation caused. The GCZMA stated that the respondent was obligated to compensate for the environmental harm by funding ecological restoration and restoring the land to its original condition, as required by the CRZ Notification of 2011 and the Environmental Protection Act. This included removing residue and RCC footings below ground level. Despite previous inspections by the GCZMA team, the site had not been cleared. The GCZMA clarified that it used May 4, 2017, as the starting date for calculating compensation, extending to August 2024, which amounted to more than seven years. The compensation amount was determined by multiplying the number of years by the area of violation in square meters, then multiplying by Rs 2,590 per square metre. This amount had been established earlier by the GCZMA in a study on environmental compensation for coastal damage. Based on this formula, the GCZMA calculated the compensation amount to be Rs 7.7 million. The GCZMA explained that this formula was applied because the respondent had committed violations in the NDZ area, resulting in significant damage to the local ecology and biodiversity.

Infrastructure Energy

18 Sep 2025

GREW Solar Launches New PV Modules At RE+ 2025

GREW Solar, India’s youngest and one of the fastest-growing solar PV manufacturers, showcased its latest range of advanced photovoltaic (PV) modules at RE+ 2025, North America’s largest clean energy trade show. The company introduced the ALL-BLACK Series, designed for the U.S. rooftop market, offering sleek aesthetics and proven performance across extreme weather conditions such as sun, rain, snow, and hail. Backed by a 25-year warranty, these modules provide homeowners with reliable renewable energy solutions.The G2G M10 TOPCon Series, also unveiled at the event, caters to commercial and ..

Infrastructure Transport

18 Sep 2025

Minister Reviews Four-Lane Road Works in Bilaspur

Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta on Monday inspected the construction of the four-lane road at Nauni Junction in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. He instructed officials to carry out immediate repairs on damaged stretches leading to Shimla to ensure smooth traffic movement.During the visit, the minister reviewed progress at Nauni Chowk Junction and sought detailed updates from officials. He also discussed land acquisition issues linked to the project and the challenges faced by local residents.Tamta further assessed the damage caused to the four-lane road by recent..

Infrastructure Transport

18 Sep 2025

Pune Assures Katraj-Kondhwa Bypass by June 2026

Pune municipal commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has assured that the long-delayed Katraj–Kondhwa bypass road will be completed by June 2026. Speaking at a real estate conclave on 11 September alongside district collector Jeetendra Dudi, he said the project now has a clear, integrated, and systematic plan in place.“This is my final promise as the Katraj–Kondhwa bypass road project will be completed by the end of June 2026. The issue was never impossible; it just needed the right decision at the right level,” Ram said. He stressed that while funds are available, what is crucial is vision, ..