Coastal body tells PWD to demolish visarjan shed

Panaji: The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has asked the public works department (PWD) to demolish the construction at Murda in Merces village, near the mangrove vegetation, which PWD stated was being developed as a Ganesh idol visarjan site. After the GCZMA took action, based on a complaint, PWD pleaded ignorance that CRZ (coastal regulation zone) permission was needed for construction in the mangrove area.

The GCZMA has ruled that though the authority is emphatic to religious sentiments, the construction violates CRZ norms and will have to be demolished. PWD had said the new Ganesh visarjan site was being developed after entry to the old one was blocked due to highway expansion work.

“The site inspection report indicates that there is a large area of mangrove which has perished, including the area where the present immersion site has been developed. The authority is emphatic to religious sentiments and the hardship which the people have been facing on account of development of NH-66. Rehabilitation of the site concerning religious activities nevertheless can be permitted, but the fact remains that such rehabilitation needs prior approval of the authority,” the GCZMA order states.

PWD has also been asked to restore the land to its original state after the demolition. Activist Kashinath Shetye had filed a PIL before the high court over destruction of mangroves due to the alleged illegal land filling, as a result of which the high court constituted a task force. Later, referring to the state survey plans and photographs, the high court said that there was considerable destruction of mangrove land, khazan lands, and paddy fields in the area. The court also said that urgent intervention was required to restore and rejuvenate the affected area. The high court ordered a joint inspection of the affected area at Murda which was carried out on Sep 4, 2024.

The inspection confirmed the illegal construction covering an area of 350sqm was allegedly carried out by Mehboob Mulla. The GCZMA later learnt that the construction was carried out at the direction of the state PWD and issued the department a showcause notice on Sep 13. The GCZMA asked both the contractor and the PWD executive engineer to appear for the hearings.

At the subsequent GCZMA hearing, PWD said that it was not aware that CRZ permission was required in the area of mangrove and khazan lands. PWD said that it was a Ganesh visarjan site.

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