GCZMA discharges show-cause notice against former cricketer

Panaji: The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has discharged the show-cause notice issued to former international cricketer Ashish Nehra for carrying out an illegal construction in his property at Cavelossim, along the South Goa beach belt. The construction of a road was found in the no-development zone of the CRZ, but the GCZMA has now noted that the illegal construction has been removed.

“The authority perused the replies and considered the arguments advanced by the respondents (Nehra’s representatives) and decided that since the respondent has complied by removing the violations which come within his area, has hereby discharged the respondent on a condition that if later found that he has not complied, necessary action will be initiated against the present respondent,” the GCZMA, after its meeting last week, said.

The GCZMA had taken suo motu cognisance of the case after reports that construction of a road was taken up in violation of CRZ norms by Nehra.

A GCZMA engineer and field surveyor had carried out an inspection and had found “gross illegal construction resulting in violation of CRZ notification 2011”.

Nehra’s representative told GCZMA at a hearing that the portion of the road running through the CRZ area has been removed “and the site is cleared to the extent of the area belonging to him”. The GCZMA was also told that it is a large property and also belongs to many others. The authority was also told the sandbags had been placed by the WRD and not by Nehra. The offender therefore sought discharge of the show cause notice and action against the others through whose properties the remaining road runs.

Earlier, the local panchayat had issued a notice to Nehra for carrying out activities in CRZ area without permission from it. Villagers had also levelled other allegations of cutting of trees and damage to sand dunes.