NGT stays GCZMA demolition order, prevents flooding of houses in Anjuna

Panaji: After the National Green Tribunal (NGT) stayed a demolition order passed by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA), the authority granted permission to the water resources department (WRD) for the extension and reconstruction of the Ganesh idol immersion platform in Anjuna. The platform is also used by fishermen, and also serves as a flood protection wall.

The NGT noted that demolishing this platform would lead to the flooding of nearby houses.

The GCZMA issued a demolition order in Nov 2022 for the construction of an additional portion of the immersion platform. Following this, locals approached the NGT against the order.

The NGT noted, based on the report submitted by the team of officials from the North Goa District Disaster Management Authority, that the immersion platform was found to be dilapidated but was serving as a safety wall for locals to prevent flood water from entering the houses in the adjoining locality.

“An apprehension is expressed in that report that demolition of the structure in question may result in the traditional pathway being washed away, resulting in flooding of adjoining houses in the vicinity of the road and may also result in soil erosion. We agree with the report,” the NGT said. The tribunal subsequently set aside the demolition order of the GCZMA.

“Without the existence of the said platform, there is also a possibility of soil erosion along the river banks where the platform exists. There is also a high possibility of river water entering through the traditional pathway onto the internal road, and such ingress of water could lead to the inundation of houses situated in the immediate vicinity. Such flooding may be aggravated, especially during high tide, monsoon, and flood-like situations,” said the NGT.

In Jan, this year, the GCZMA carried out an inspection at the site at Bandirwadda, Anjuna, based on the NGT’s directives. After that, the Anjuna panchayat and the WRD were also called for their input, after that the existing immersion platform and flood protection wall have now been granted regularisation along with the platform’s extension.

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