Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has disposed of a long-pending Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the alleged filling of the Mashem creek in Canacona for the new NH-17 alignment, following assurances from the State government that no earth-filling or obstruction will be permitted in the area surrounding the Mashem bridge.
The Division Bench comprising Justice Bharati Dangre and Justice Ashish Chavan recorded the statement made by the Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD) that the creek area would remain untouched, and directed authorities to ensure that the natural river flow is not impeded in any manner. “Authorities shall ensure that no land filling or reclamation of the river area takes place, as it would obstruct the river flow,” the Bench ordered.
The PIL, filed in 2018 by Canacona resident Pamela Rodrigues, had alleged that portions of the Mashem creek were illegally filled during the construction of the highway despite public objections. The petitioner claimed this activity caused the formation of a sandbar at the creek’s mouth, leading to flooding in nearby Loliem village during heavy monsoons. She had sought restoration of the creek, removal of embankments on its southern side, and revocation of permissions granted by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).
In September 2018, the Court had referred to a No Objection Certificate issued by the Captain of Ports prohibiting dumping or filling in riverine areas. An inspection report later confirmed that marshy low-lying land had been filled to facilitate movement of construction materials.
A contempt petition was subsequently filed alleging violation of court directions, after which the GCZMA carried out a fresh inspection in September 2025. The report confirmed that boulders and earth deposits were still obstructing parts of the creek.
Taking note of the government’s recent assurance and the steps taken to address the petitioner’s concerns, the Bench concluded that no further orders were required and formally closed the PIL along with all pending applications.
