Implement guidelines for constructions, court tells govt

Calangute: The Bombay high court on Monday directed state govt to strictly implement guidelines “pertaining to the norms to be adhered to while granting permission for constructions and other ancillary matters”.

HC’s order came in a writ petition filed by Candolim resident president of the Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF), Agnelo Barreto.


Following the petition, the directorate of panchayats, department of urban development, and the chief town planner issued circulars containing instructions for implementation of a Supreme Court judgment and order of Dec 17, 2024.

Barreto stated in the HC that “despite issuing such circulars specifically indicating the guidelines laid down by the SC, no action has been taken to implement the judgment and/or the circulars issued by the authorities concerned”.

Disposing of the petition on Monday, the HC said, “All the authorities concerned shall take immediate steps for implementing the three circulars in letter and spirit”.

Similar circulars issued by the departments state that the builder/developer/owner shall cause to be displayed at the construction site a copy of the approved plan during the entire period of construction and the authorities concerned shall inspect the premises periodically and maintain a record of such inspection. If any deviation is noticed, action must be taken and the process of issuance of completion/occupation certificate should be deferred, unless and until the deviations pointed out are completely rectified.

All the necessary service connections, such as electricity, water supply, sewerage etc, shall be given by the service provider/board to the building only after the production of the completion/ occupation certificate.

No permission/licence to conduct any business/trade must be given by any authorities, including local bodies of states/Union territories in any unauthorised building irrespective of it being a residential or commercial building. Besides, the development must be in conformity with the zonal plan and usage, the circulars state.