Calangute: Two beach clubs in Candolim that were illegally built in the no-development CRZ zone and recently demolished after two years of delay in implementing high court orders have not yet restored the beach, said NGO members who filed the PIL.“As per the HC order, they have to clear all the debris and restore the beach to its original condition with sand dune vegetation, which they have not done,” said Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) president Agnelo Barreto, adding that they may have to approach the court again for appropriate directions.CCF had filed PIL 13/2024, listing several commercial premises that had been built in the CRZ no-development zone, including one 20 m from the waterline without GSPCB or GCZMA permissions or a village panchayat licence. According to the HC’s directions in April 2024, most of the structures were ordered to be demolished.In its April 2024 order, the HC observed that the authorities took the violations very lightly. “This area is hardly about 20 mtrs away from the sea waters on the sea beach. Thus, this area is extremely eco-sensitive. Putting up any PCC structures in this area or flattening the sand dune is an extremely serious matter. We are horrified that the GCZMA (Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority) took no action on its own show cause notice cum stop work order dated Dec 5, 2022 until this petition was filed,” the order states.Apart from other violations, these commercial premises lacked GSPCB consent to operate.“Almost all the major permission conditions have been breached. The total built-up area is 759.3sqm, instead of the approved 304.2sqm temporary structure. The site inspection report states the total area is covered with permanent flooring and structures. Despite all this, counsel, based on instructions, submits that all these are “optical illusions”. At least from the photographs, the argument based on “optical illusion” cannot be accepted,” the HC observed, regarding the violations in another club.
