NT Reporter
Panaji
The High Court of Bombay at Goa directed M/s Goveia Resorts/Waterfront, Goveia Marina Resorts, Vaddy, Siolim, to remove the mud filling carried out in the lagoon and restore it to its original dimensions.
The court noted that in its order dated March 15, 2024, with reference to the April 7, 2017 direction of the GCZMA, it had been clearly recorded that a lagoon/pond measuring 125 m x 80 m existed in the area, matching the DSLR plan. The court had then directed removal of the mud filling and restoration of the lagoon to its original size. This order was upheld by the Supreme Court on May 14, 2024, foreclosing the dispute over the
lagoon’s existence.
The petitioner, Mohinder Kaur Paintal, owner of property, had challenged alleged illegal construction across the river. She
said permanent construction without a licence was being carried out on the banks of the Siolim river in violation of
CRZ Notification norms.
The High Court directed the GCZMA to implement its March 15, 2024,
order forthwith.
On the matter of compensation, the Court noted that the GCZMA must now take a decision, as the NGT has remanded the issue for reconsideration.
The Court directed GCZMA to decide expeditiously the compensation payable by the respondent for environmental damage.
