Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has taken a stern view of the inaction by government officials in implementing a demolition order issued by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA). The Court has now directed the Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Pernem to ensure that a demolition squad is deployed within 10 days to enforce the GCZMA’s directive, originally issued on Februarys 28.
The court expressed dismay that the order had not been implemented due to the alleged “unavailability of a squad,” calling it an unacceptable excuse for defying a statutory mandate.
The matter was brought before the court by petitioner Anil Prabhakar Naik, who sought enforcement of the GCZMA order issued under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The directive followed a show-cause notice and a site inspection on December 10, 2024, which identified illegal structures in Morjim village.
GCZMA had clearly instructed that the structures be demolished and the land restored. The Deputy Collector and SDO were tasked with verifying compliance within 30 days. If violations persisted, they were to initiate demolition within 15 additional days and recover expenses from the encroachers.
However, the court was informed that no demolition had taken place. Reacting strongly, the bench said non-availability of a demolition squad could not justify delay in implementing a lawful order. Advocate Ankur Kumar represented the petitioner in the case.
The court’s directive now puts the onus firmly on local authorities to act without further delay.
