High Court orders sealing of 61 illegal structures in Arambol

Panjim: The Bombay High Court in Goa on Wednesday directed government officials to seal 61 structures in Girkarvado-Dando, Arambol in Pernem taluka, which were identified as illegal during the joint survey/inspection conducted by Gram Panchayat, GSPCB I went. and GCZMA.

Hearing the writ petition and suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Ravi Harmalkar and Rajesh Dabholkar, the court directed immediate stoppage of commercial activities, if any, in these alleged illegal premises.

During the previous hearing, Arambol sarpanch Bernard Fernandes had filed an affidavit stating that around 187 establishments like bars and restaurants and guest houses on the banks of Girkarwada-Dando, Arambol, had prima facie received no permission from the gram panchayat .

Based on the affidavit of the sarpanch, a division bench of Justice Mahesh Sonak and Justice B P Deshpande had asked the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to conduct a survey/inspection in Girkarwada-Dando. To ascertain the status of these structures and other structures constructed and operated for commercial purposes without the permission of GCZMA, GSPCB and Arambol Gram Panchayat. GSPCB was asked to check whether these establishments have obtained consent to operate and if not, immediately close such establishments.

The Sarpanch was also asked to file a status of action taken report, while the Panchayat Director was asked to investigate the affairs of the Panchayat after the Court observed that the Sarpanch and his close relatives had prima facie carried out illegal construction And were operating guest houses without permission from GCZMA and GSPCB.

GSPCB, in its compliance report, said 61 structures were running without consent to operate and would be sealed. The board had issued notice for closure of 11 business establishments. The next hearing of the case has been fixed for January 17.