Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: In a decisive move to curb illegal and unauthorized land development activities, the Collector of South Goa, Egna Cleetus, has ordered the formation of Taluka Level Flying Squads across the district.
The decision, made in response to a directive from the High Court in PIL Suo Motu No. 3 of 2024 (dated March 6, 2025), aims to tackle illegal land filling, unauthorized construction, and unlawful hill cutting.
According to the official order issued by the Flying Squad Section of the Collector’s office, each taluka in South Goa will have a dedicated Flying Squad responsible for swiftly addressing land-related violations. The squads have been mandated to act immediately on complaints, ensuring action is taken within one hour of receiving a report.
Composition of the Flying Squads
Each Taluka Level Flying Squad will consist of:
The Deputy Collector & SDO of the respective sub-division – In-charge
The Mamlatdar of the concerned taluka – Deputy In-charge
The Police Inspector of the local jurisdiction – Member
The Chief Officer of the Municipal Councils in the taluka – Member
The Block Development Officer of the respective block – Member
The Talathi of the concerned village – Member
A Representative from the Town and Country Planning Department (for illegal hill cutting and land filling cases) – Member
The squads have also been provided with mobile handsets and official contact numbers (with WhatsApp facility) for quick communication and coordination.
Key Responsibilities of the Flying Squads
The squads will perform the following duties:
Address complaints related to illegal or unauthorized construction, land filling, and hill cutting.
Take immediate preventive measures within one hour of receiving complaints.
Conduct on-site inspections and prepare detailed reports, which will be forwarded to the Deputy Collector & SDO, the Chief Officer of the Municipal Council, and the Block Development Officer.
Additionally, if the violation involves illegal hill cutting or land filling, the inspection report will also be sent to the Town Planner/Deputy Town Planner. In cases where the violation occurs on Communidade land, the Administrator of Communidade, South Zone will be notified.
Strict Legal Action to Follow
Once an inspection report is submitted, authorities will take strict legal action, including:
The Deputy Collector & SDO will initiate proceedings under Section 33 of the Goa Land Revenue Code, 1968, to restore the land to its original state.
The Chief Officer of the Municipal Council/Block Development Officer will initiate legal proceedings as per applicable laws.
The Town Planner/Deputy Town Planner will file FIRs with the police and take action under Section 17A and other provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act.
The Administrator of Communidades, South Zone, will initiate legal action if the violation occurs on Communidade land.
Year-Round Operations, Weekly Reports Required
The Flying Squads will remain operational throughout the year, including public holidays and weekends, ensuring no violations go unchecked. In case any squad member is unavailable, a designated officer will take charge to avoid delays.
The Deputy Collectors & SDOs of each taluka have been instructed to activate the squads immediately and submit a consolidated report every Monday to the Collector’s office via email at dyc-south1.cols@goa.gov.in.
A Major Step Against Land Violations
This directive marks a significant step in tackling illegal land development activities in South Goa, where unauthorized construction, illegal hill cutting, and land filling have been growing concerns. The High Court’s intervention underscores the urgency of the matter, prompting the administration to take swift and stringent action.
The South Goa Collector has also directed the Deputy Collectors & SDOs of Mormugao, Ponda, Dharbandora, Sanguem, Quepem, Canacona, and Salcete to immediately comply with the order and circulate it among all members of the Taluka Level Flying Squads.
This initiative is expected to bring greater accountability and enforcement to land-use regulations, ensuring that illegal encroachments and environmental violations are addressed swiftly.
