Coastal body checks ‘illegal’ construction on Candolim beach

Calangute: Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) officials on Wednesday inspected an allegedly illegal concrete construction in CRZ 1A area in the no-development zone at Dando, Candolim beach. The structure in survey number 112/19 is being set up by a media and entertainment company.
Citizens’ group Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF), which lodged the complaint, claimed that the construction is completely illegal and in clear violation of the CRZ Notification and the Environment Protection Act, as it involves the destruction of existing sand dunes which are ecologically sensitive areas protected under CRZ rules.
GCZMA officials said they would submit a report to the member-secretary.
“They’ve done a big construction by destroying sand dunes and beach vegetation. The construction is almost touching the sea, and is barely 30m from the water. Govt should pass an order at the earliest to demolish this and restore the place to its original state. They should also be fined. We’ve made at least six complaints and the matter is also in the high court. If no action is taken after this site inspection, we will take legal action again,” CCF member Agnelo Barreto told reporters after the site inspection concluded.