Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The North Goa Principal District Court has ordered a halt to the ongoing construction of the Unity Mall at Chimbel, directing the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) to maintain the status quo until January 8, 2026.
Villagers in Chimbel had resorted to a hunger strike to protest the proposed Unity Mall project, alleging that authorities ignored a Panaji Sessions Court order halting construction. The demonstration gained momentum after locals claimed that the Panchayat issued a construction licence despite the court stay being in effect until January 8, 2026.
The Unity Mall, proposed by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) on the environmentally sensitive Toyyar Lake wetland, has faced strong opposition from residents and environmental activists. The Chimbel Village Panchayat initially refused permission for the project, following three gram sabha resolutions that rejected the plan.
GTDC challenged the Panchayat’s refusal before the Tiswadi Block Development Officer (BDO), who directed the issuance of the licence within 24 hours on November 27, 2025. Subsequent appeals to the Directorate of Panchayats upheld the BDO’s order.
The matter finally reached the Sessions Court, where Govind Shirodkar, Chairman of the Chimbel Biodiversity Management Committee and Wetland Toyyar Lake, successfully obtained a stay on construction on December 6, 2025. Villagers have vowed to continue their protest until the judicial order is fully respected.
