Candolim: The authorities of GCZMA upheld the order of the NGT to restore the land to its original condition after removing an illegal construction in violation of the CRZ as two houses and some huts were demolished at Vaddem, Candolim.

The Delhi owner Neeraj Kumar having a registered company in the name of Modelama Hotels Pvt Ltd had bought the beach property fifteen years ago from the land owner had moved the court after the tenants who were dwelling for the last 40 years were told to vacate. The Delhi builder went to the court and the matter reached the NGT tribunal who passed the order to remove all the structures and restore the land to its original position. As such structures in survey no 129/1,129/5,129/6 and 129/9 were all demolished by using earthmoving machinery.

The Mapusa joint mamlatdar Sandeep Gawade was present at the site along with DySp Santosh Desai incharge of Porvorim police station along with a heavy police force from Calangute, Saligao and Porvorim.

Speaking to this daily the joint mamlatdar Sandeep Gawade said that it is a long pending issue in which the builder who bought the property some fifteen years back had moved the court. We got an order from the NGT and the GCZMA authorities have come to implement the order of violation in CRZ. We have only come to maintain law and order, he said.

Anuja Naik one of the owner’s of the illegal structure said that they have been dwelling in this place for the last 40 years and have house number and even paid house tax. The owner has sold the property to a Delhi builder and since they are the tenants of this property they did not agree to the terms and conditions of the builder for a settlement.