PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has issued notices to the State government and other agencies in connection with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the alleged unauthorised construction of villas in Siolim. The petition alleges that the project was approved without considering serious infrastructural issues plaguing the village in the last few years.
The petitioners Suraj Chodankar and Avertino Miranda are seeking the quashing of the technical clearances granted by the Town and Country Planning Department and the construction permissions issued by the Oxel Village Panchayat, arguing that the project, situated just 33 mtrs from the Oxel Spring, officially known as Our Lady of the Sea Church Spring, poses a threat to the water body, which is listed as a protected site by the Court.
“The permissions have been mechanically granted by authorities without ascertaining infrastructure availability such as water and power, which is admittedly in short supply. The construction of 8 villas with swimming pool is coming up within 33 mtrs of the Oxel Spring, officially known as Our Lady of the Sea Church Spring, Oxel which is a water body recorded in the list of water bodies directed to be protected by the order of this Court… the ongoing construction will likely affect the water body,” it said.
The petitioners also pointed out that TCP clearances require the village panchayat to ensure the availability of power, water supply and other necessary infrastructure before issuing a construction license. In this case, they claim, no such assessment was carried out. Besides seeking the quashing of clearances and the demolition of the structures, the petitioners have also requested interim relief until the final disposal of the case.
