The Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) has directed Worldwide Resorts and Entertainment to restore a hill at Bambolim that was excavated without proper permissions. The move follows a site survey by Goa College of Engineering, which found soil gaps that could destabilise the road and nearby structures. Authorities had earlier issued a stop-work order for the unapproved hotel project.
An expert panel has flagged serious concerns over soil instability caused by unauthorised excavation at a hotel construction site in Bambolim. The Goa College of Engineering, in a field survey, observed that the excavated hillside showed signs of erosion and widening soil gaps. These could potentially damage adjacent infrastructure, including a nearby road and buildings. SEAC has now mandated full restoration in GEC’s presence.
The State Expert Appraisal Committee has ordered the refilling of the hill and adjacent wall areas, clearly stating the work must be overseen by technical experts from the Goa College of Engineering. The panel held that the construction was carried out without the necessary environmental approvals. This directive aims to prevent further soil erosion, protect public infrastructure, and enforce accountability for ecological damage.
The Town and Country Planning Department and Goa SEIAA issued a stop-work notice to Worldwide Resorts and Entertainment in May 2025. The company reportedly failed to obtain environmental clearances prior to site excavation and hotel construction. The unauthorised activity was brought to light following a formal complaint by RG MLA Viresh Borkar, who alerted the TCP and the directorate of panchayats about the violations.
The incident at Bambolim highlights a troubling pattern of construction without compliance in Goa’s ecologically sensitive zones. Despite established environmental clearance norms, large-scale excavation began without oversight. Experts and citizens have raised concerns about lax enforcement and the long-term risks to the state’s fragile coastal and hillside ecosystems. Strengthening inter-agency coordination is seen as vital to prevent future violations and ensure environmental safeguards.
The Bambolim hill excavation episode underscores the growing tension between unregulated construction and environmental sustainability in Goa. The SEAC’s directive signals a much-needed step towards accountability, but also highlights systemic lapses in early-stage project monitoring. As Goa grapples with rapid urbanisation, ensuring that development does not come at the cost of ecological stability must remain a priority for both policymakers and civic enforcement agencies.
