Siolim nightclub told to raze riverfront structures

PANAJI: In a case that has been coming up before the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) for more than five years now, the authority in its meeting last month issued fresh orders asking Teso Waterfront located along the Chapora river in Siolim to demolish its structures saying they are in violation of norms.
The authority has said that Telma Desa Pinto has not submitted any permission/NOC from competent authorities “to justify concreted flooring, jetty and swimming pool.” The GCZMA has therefore resolved to issue demolition order to “all the temporary or permanent structure along with concreted flooring, jetty and swimming pool erected in the name of Teso Waterfront by Telma Desa Pinto at Vaddy Siolim”.
In April 2013, and subsequently in January 2015, Siolim Vaddy Nagarik Samittee filed a complaint with GCZMA, alleging illegal construction of a nightclub, Teso Waterfront, by Pinto at Vaddy, Siolim. Based on the complaint, a stop work order and show-cause notice was issued. An inspection by the GCZMA was also carried out at the site. The team noted various violations in the construction.
In 2015, Anthony D’Souza filed another complaint before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Pune. In late 2016, the tribunal asked GCZMA to hold hearings and verify the documents of Teso Waterfront and Goveia Waterfront and to give a final decision within four weeks.
GCZMA then conducted a hearing and directed Teso Waterfront to demolish all illegal structures including concrete flooring, jetty and swimming pool.
Teso Waterfront filed a writ petition against the demolition, which was disposed of by the high court in 2017, directing the GCZMA to hear the parties concerned afresh and to decide the matter.
After the court order, GCZMA met on various occasions to hear the case and the final hearing was held in September, 2017. The decision was pending for orders ever since.
Finally, in an August 2018 meeting, GCZMA upheld its earlier order and once again directed Teso Waterfront to demolish its structures. But the case reached the doors of the high court once again this year.
In May this year, GCZMA noted that the matter has been remanded by high court for time-bound adjudication and no further adjournment can be afforded. Teso Waterfront submitted documents accordingly to the authority as per the time provided to it in May.
“It is clear from GCZMA records that Telma Desa Pinto was given an NOC dated 31/12/2015 for erection of temporary seasonal structures shacks, huts and cottages in survey no. 301/1 of Siolim village. This NOC was valid up to 31/05/2016 and the applicant was directed to remove all the structures latest by 10/06/2016. The applicant has not sought any permission thereafter and presence of existing structures is confirmation of violations of terms of GCZMA permission,” the GCZMA directives issued on May 14 stated.