Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa directed the Managing Director of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) and the Directorate of Archives and Archaeology to submit affidavits concerning alleged damage to the surroundings of the Chandreshwar Bhoothnath Temple, a protected monument in South Goa.
The instructions came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Aditya Dattu Raut Dessai. The division bench, comprising Justice Valmiki Menezes and Justice Amit Jamsandekar, noted that the case involves claims of destruction and damage to areas surrounding the temple, which is safeguarded under the Goa Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1978.
Records show that in September 2018, GTDC had submitted a proposal seeking permission for beautification works at the site. Following this, the Directorate of Archives and Archaeology issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the construction of a retaining wall, a viewpoint platform, a toilet block, and other related beautification initiatives.
However, the court pointed out that documents and photographs submitted with the petition suggest that significant damage may have extended beyond the approved work area. The Additional Government Advocate representing the Directorate indicated that steps are being taken to restore the affected areas.
The court has now directed GTDC to provide the full project proposal, including plans, annexures, work orders, specifications, and details of both expenditures already incurred and planned.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Archives and Archaeology has been asked to explain the process followed in granting the NOC and to estimate the cost required to restore the site to its original condition. The court observed that such restoration expenses may need to be borne by the Directorate.
Additionally, GTDC’s Managing Director has been instructed to ensure that the contractor responsible for the work is properly notified and represented in court on the next hearing date. The case is scheduled for further hearing on April 7.
