Raise concerns over access road being built with concrete
Anjuna Sarpanch Laxmidas Chimulkar presiding over the gram sabha on Sunday. Other panchayat members and the secretary were also present.
MAPUSA
Villagers of Anjuna strongly opposed an alleged construction project on Vagator beach during a gram sabha held on Sunday. The locals raised concerns over an access road being built with concrete and other allied construction activities that have already commenced.
During the meeting, villagers also objected to the operation of a nightclub that has allegedly been constructed without the necessary permissions.
They expressed fears that any large-scale development on the beach would harm the coastal ecosystem and limit public access to a space they have enjoyed for generations.
Local resident Jeremy Ferreira highlighted that the construction was taking place on survey no 354/1, which had been inspected by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).
He pointed out discrepancies in the inspection report, claiming that it wrongly stated there were no sand dunes or vegetation at the site.
He also questioned the validity of the approvals and no-objection certificates (NOCs) issued by the authorities, citing a lack of an adequate access road to the property.
Ferreira further stated that the Biodiversity Management Committee had repeatedly urged the Forest and Environment Departments, as well as the GCZMA, to declare the site a turtle nesting area.
“An application has been made for 15 cottages, a restaurant, a reception area, and other facilities. The noise pollution from generators, air conditioners and music will disrupt the peace of the beach,” he warned, adding that an influx of visitors, particularly at night, could worsen traffic congestion.
Another local, Dr Inacio Fernandes called for the preservation of Vagator beach for public use, emphasizing that it should remain accessible to all and not just the wealthy.
He alleged that similar developments had already taken place, citing W-Hotel’s construction of a private entrance directly onto Vagator beach by carving out rocks on a nearby hill. He also expressed concerns over ongoing concretisation work at the site.
Anjuna Bio-Diversity Committee member, Satyavan alleged that a five-star resort near the property has also carried out an illegal construction and which should be demolished.
Anjuna Sarpanch Laxmidas Chimulkar stated that the panchayat was unaware of the access road construction. He acknowledged that coastal authorities might have granted permission but assured villagers that the matter would be investigated.
Villagers also objected to the operation of Magnes nightclub, which they claimed was functioning without required approvals. Ferreira noted that loud music from the club starts only after 10 pm, causing a nuisance to nearby residents.
He further revealed that a show cause notice had been issued under Section 66(3) of the Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, against the nightclub's illegal construction, but no action had been taken even after 30 days.
The sarpanch assured that the panchayat would take action and seal the club by the end of April.
Dr Fernandes also urged the panchayat to restrict the movement of heavy vehicles during school hours to ensure children’s safety.
He proposed deploying a traffic officer at key junctions during peak hours, which the sarpanch agreed to address by writing to traffic authorities.
Additionally, Fernandes called for a follow-up on installing CCTV cameras at garbage collection and segregation sites to curb illegal waste dumping in open areas. The gram sabha also discussed the village panchayat’s budget, but residents requested more time to review proposals and make recommendations.
In response, the sarpanch granted 15 days for villagers to submit their suggestions.
