HC seeks mechanism to stop illegal structures at Candolim

Panaji: The Bombay high court has called on the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and the Candolim panchayat to inform it within three weeks of a mechanism to stop illegal structures from the outset. If they fail to do so, an officer will be held accountable.The HC has requested the GCZMA and the Candolim panchayat to “file their affidavits regarding the mechanism as to how the illegal structures that have been constructed beyond the permission can be stopped at the very threshold.”“The affidavits shall mention which officer shall be held accountable if the duties are not performed,”observed the HC’s division bench comprising Justices Sarang V Kotwal and Ashish S Chavan.The HC is hearing a PIL by the Calangute Constituency Forum, represented by advocate Rohit Bras de Sa, over licences granted by the Candolim panchayat and GCZMA. These licences were violated by parties who deliberately obtained a no objection certificate for temporary wooden structures and then converted them into permanent structures using concrete, steel, and other materials to bypass restrictions on permanent construction in the no development zone and exploit lucrative beach front property.Calangute Constituency Forum president Premanand Diukar went to the HC seeking an immediate site inspection and directions to seal premises where commercial activity is being carried out in illegal structures.