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

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

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.

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.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Sabarmati Riverfront Two Plots Up for Auction at Rs2.24 bn Base Price

Two commercial plots on the western bank of the Sabarmati Riverfront will be auctioned with a base price of Rs 112 crore each, equivalent to Rs 1.12 bn apiece and Rs 2.24 billion in total. The parcels are located adjacent to the Metro Rail Bridge in Ahmedabad and form the first commercial offering after a prolonged pause. The Riverfront Development Corporation has framed the sale as part of a phased commercial release to revive development along the riverfront. The combined base valuation has been set by the corporation to reflect market rates along the riverfront. The corporation has fixed a ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Andhra Pradesh to Connect Over One Million Streetlights

Andhra Pradesh will undertake a statewide smart streetlighting programme across all 123 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), bringing around 1.05 million (mn) streetlights under an AI enabled monitoring and management system. The programme will be implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) with the Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration under the state Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department. The project aims to convert conventional streetlighting into a digitally managed municipal service monitored and maintained remotely. The initial phase will cover abou..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

AMC To Procure Four Machines For Guard Rail Cleaning

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation will introduce four specialised machines for cleaning guard railings along major roads and the central verges of BRTS and Metro corridors. The civic body plans to replace manual labour with mechanised cleaning to improve maintenance of road infrastructure and greenery. The purchase is estimated at Rs 82.8 million (mn), excluding GST. The proposal sets the base price of each machine at about Rs 20.7 million (mn) so four units total Rs 82.8 million (mn) before GST. 18 per cent GST will be applicable separately. During the warranty period each machine will operate ..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement