CRZ case in High Court

PANJIM: A commoner has challenged the illegal constructions indulged in by Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes before the High Court.

The petitioner has alleged that the MLA in connivance with Candolim panchayat and Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) had illegally regularized the illegal structures in violation of Coastal Zone Regulation, Town and Country Planning Act and Panchayat Act. Further, despite the constructions being illegal, no action was taken against Agnelo.

When the matter came up before the division bench of Justice RS Mohite and Justice NA Britto, they appoint Norma Alvares as the advocate for the petitioner, after the petitioner requested for appointment of a lawyer from the Court. The matter has now been kept on September 24.

The petitioner, Betty Alvares, in her petition has prayed for the appointment of a commissioner to look into illegal constructions at survey nos 148/5, 148/6, 148/2 of Murrod vaddo in Candolim village and a house in survey nos 157/17, 157/18 and 157/21 of Camotin vaddo, Candolim. The Commissioner should state whether: constructions are within permissible limits as per the CRZ regulations and guidelines, whether licenses/ permissions have been obtained from GCZMA, TCP and village panchayat of Candolim for construction and whether constructions are carried out as per approved plans and in accordance with Village panchayat and TCP Building Rules and Regulations.


The petitioner had earlier written a letter in the second week of July to the High Court, bringing to the notice of the Court illegal structures constructed by Agnelo. The petitioner had pointed out the following illegalities:

1) The survey nos 148/5of Murrod vaddo in Candolim village within 200 mt of the High Tide Line

* Sheetal restaurant and compound wall of the restaurant

* Three soak pits on the panchayat road and to cover this illegality, footpaths built, narrowing the width of the road from 10 mt to 4 mt.

2) Within 200 to 500 mts of HTL

* In survey 148/6of Murrod vaddo in Candolim village constructed several cottages, employee quarters etc.

* In survey nos 157/17 and 157/18 of Camotin vaddo, Candolim, constructed illegal first floor of the MLA's bungalow.

The petitioner in the letter also stated that she had brought these illegalities to the notice of the Deputy Director of Panchayats, who had issued a show cause notice. However, no action has been taken so far. GCZMA, Candolim panchayat, the state of Goa and Director of Panchayats have been made respondents in the petition.