The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has issued directives for the dismantling and demolition of several hoardings along the banks of the Mandovi River in Penha de Franca, following directives from the High Court.
These hoardings, known for their nighttime illumination, were found to be erected within the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) no development zone, contravening established regulations. The High Court’s intervention, prompted by concerns over unauthorized construction within the CRZ, led to orders for the disconnection of power supply to approximately 20 hoardings. Subsequently, the GCZMA initiated hearings and issued show-cause notices to the entities responsible for the hoardings, including the river navigation department, which had leased its land for commercial hoarding purposes. Despite claims by some parties that the no development zone designation did not apply due to the area’s classification as a port zone, the GCZMA dismissed these arguments, emphasizing the absence of significant port activities in the vicinity. Furthermore, the authority highlighted environmental damage resulting from the unauthorized erection of hoardings, extending beyond permissible boundaries.
Violators contended that hoardings should not be classified as permanent structures, thereby exempting them from regulatory scrutiny. However, the GCZMA reiterated the necessity for permissions for any construction within the CRZ, citing the CRZ Notification of 1991. Additionally, assertions that certain hoardings predated the regulatory notification were refuted by the authority, which emphasized the absence of documented evidence supporting such claims. Moreover, the GCZMA underscored the commercial utilization of the hoardings by violators, further emphasizing the need for regulatory enforcement. In light of these developments, the GCZMA’s decisive action underscores its commitment to upholding environmental regulations and preserving coastal ecosystems. As the process of demolition ensues, stakeholders await compliance from violators and anticipate enhanced enforcement measures to prevent similar infringements in the future.
