NT Reporter
Panaji
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday adjourned the hearing to
February, granting time to the state government
to submit a detailed restoration plan in a matter concerning damage caused to a portion of the Parvat Paroda hillock during beautification work at the Chandreshwar Bhootnath Temple
in Paroda.
The state government assured the court that the affected portion would be restored to its original condition.
It was also informed that since the site is a protected area, necessary permission from the central government would be sought before commencing restoration work.
A public interest litigation was filed by a mahajan, Aditya Dattu Raut Dessai, who said activities were being carried out at the temple under the guise of upgradation and beautification. The petitioner provided the historical background of the monument and referred to it being declared an ancient monument under the Act of 1978.
The petition claimed that the activity involved cutting of the hill for the construction of a retaining wall.
The High Court said that it is necessary to review the current situation prevailing at the site, and also said that it deems it appropriate to conduct a joint inspection of the site in the presence of the petitioner, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) officials, the Director of the Directorate of Archives and Archaeology, and official members of the temple.
The court said it expects a fact-finding report along with necessary photographs to be placed before it so that a further course of action, the extent of damage caused, and the steps required for restoration of the monument can be decided.
