Team Goemkarponn
VAGATOR: Residents of Vagator gathered along the beach to demand action against persons doing construction on a private property in a No Development Zone due to alleged illegal construction. They were reassured by the
According to Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, no unlawful work was being done.
The land belongs to his relatives, Lobo told the villagers, adding, “Debris removal work is being carried out as per the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority’s (GCZMA) direction.”
A viral video had raised suspicions among the locals that a wooden cottage project was being planned at the location.
A neighbor named Ravi Harmalkar questioned how the GCZMA had given approval in spite of the existence of sand dunes and turtle nesting areas, saying, “The video showed sand dunes and vegetation being destroyed.”
However, Lobo, who visited the site, told the locals that three illegal structures with electricity
connections had come up on the property, prompting a complaint to the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which restored the ownership.
After the Special Investigation Team (SIT) received a complaint about connections discovered on the property, ownership was reclaimed.
After GCZMA issued a demolition order, the buildings were taken down. We have authority to erect fencing to safeguard our land, and we are merely clearing rubbish. Lobo stated, “No new work is being undertaken.”
