Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the state tourism department to crack down on illegal constructions and businesses operating from such premises on beaches across Goa.
The HC also has asked the Department to take strict action against such constructions and also to ensure that they are not given water and electricity connections.
The Court has also issued directions to Director of Tourism to keep a strict vigil to ensure that such illegal constructions do not crop up on beaches across Goa.
Court has also ordered that criminal action be initiated against existing or ongoing illegal constructions on beaches across the state.
Environment Department has also been directed to recover environmental damage cost from the illegal construction owners.
The court directions came during the hearing of the matter related to illegal constructions at Calangute and Baga.
High Court has asked the tourism department to remove all the illegal constructions which have mushroomed on govt land on beaches in Calangute and Baga area.
Tourism Dept had removed several such constructions. However, during the inspection by authorities on March 15, several more such structures were unearthed.
Government has told the High Court that these structures too will be removed in next 2 months, informed AG Devidas Pangam.
