Team Goemkarponn
Anjuna: In a renewed drive against suspected coastal violations, a joint team comprising officials of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and the Anjuna Panchayat carried out an extensive inspection of several nightclubs operating along the Ozrant coastline in Anjuna on Friday.
The nearly three-hour exercise was initiated after a formal complaint by local activist Desmond Alvares, who has been consistently raising concerns over alleged breaches of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms and rising noise pollution in the Anjuna–Vagator nightlife corridor.
Alvares has alleged that nearly 80 structures along the Anjuna beachfront are functioning in violation of CRZ regulations, particularly within the ecologically sensitive CRZ-III belt, where construction activity is strictly regulated.
Among the establishments inspected were Dynamo, Leela, Barree and Red Threads, all located along the Vagator–Anjuna stretch. A five-storey structure situated directly on the beachfront also came under the scanner. The building reportedly falls within the CRZ-III category, where only limited and non-permanent structures are permitted under stringent conditions.
According to Alvares, several operators initially secure approvals for temporary seasonal setups but later replace them with permanent multi-level constructions using reinforced concrete and steel. He alleged that such practices undermine coastal protection laws and flout regulatory safeguards.
CRZ guidelines permit only specific types of temporary, non-permanent facilities in designated coastal zones, subject to strict compliance. However, activists claim that the situation on the ground reflects a surge in permanent constructions, including enclosed party spaces, elevated decks and reinforced buildings along the shoreline.
During Friday’s inspection, officials documented structural specifications, assessed distances from the high tide line and cross-checked permissions issued by competent authorities. Anjuna Sarpanch Surendra Govekar was also present during the survey.
Officials stated that a comprehensive report will be prepared based on the inspection findings. If violations are confirmed, further action — including issuance of notices or demolition proceedings — may follow.
The development comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the coastal belt over repeated noise pollution complaints, with several nightlife establishments having faced regulatory action in recent months.
Environmental activists maintain that weak enforcement and unchecked expansion have allowed temporary beach shacks to evolve into large-scale commercial nightlife venues. With mounting pressure from residents and environmental groups, the latest inspection is expected to pave the way for a wider review of construction practices and compliance along the Anjuna coastline.
