Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: The re-scheduled demolition of remaining illegal structures, part of 33 tourism-related constructions found in violation of CRZ regulations at Agonda shore, was called off on Friday after the police squad failed to arrive at the site.
GCZMA representative Rounak Desai arrived to identify the alleged illegal structures, followed by the demolition team comprising PWD workers, a JCB, gas cutter with operator, and other necessary equipment. To maintain law and order, Canacona Mamlatdar Gajesh Shirodkar and Joint Mamlatdar Gayatri Desai, along with their staff, also reached the site and awaited the arrival of the police force to begin the demolition process.
Meanwhile, a restaurant listed for demolition but left untouched on Wednesday was being dismantled by the owner using private workers. On Wednesday, the demolition squad had instead levelled land of an already demolished illegal structure in the same vicinity.
Sources said two of the structures rescheduled for demolition are large properties, including ground-plus-one storey buildings, with one also having a residential component.
After waiting for the police, authorities called off the demolition exercise at around 11:30 am, and the demolition teams were withdrawn from the area.
A senior police official from the taluka said the police force had been deputed to the Partagali Mutt for an important Ram Navami religious function. During Wednesday’s demolitions, police personnel had been drawn from Margao, Quepem, Colva and Canacona police stations and were led by Canacona Police Inspector Pravin Gawas.
