Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Mar 4: The Western Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Pune has issued notices to the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) and other respondents on a petition challenging the reconstruction of shops and tourism-linked structures at Colva beach under the Centre-sponsored Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.
The petition was filed by the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum (CCCF), which has sought quashing of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) granted by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) for the proposed project in Colva village, Salcete. The forum contended that the site falls within a No Development Zone (NDZ), where permanent commercial constructions are prohibited under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
Appearing for CCCF, counsel submitted that several survey numbers forming part of the project area are classified as NDZ and relied on a site inspection report to argue that the proposed construction cannot be permitted under prevailing CRZ regulations.
The petition stated that while CRZ provisions allow limited development in NDZ areas — including basic public utilities required for traditional inhabitants — the structures approved in this case exceed permissible activities.
According to the application, the project includes reconstruction of commercial units, a shopping complex and food court plaza, beach deck, pedestrian and vehicular bridges, tourist security cabin, hawkers’ plaza and outdoor beautification works linked to commercial areas. CCCF argued that these are permanent structures and fall outside the scope of activities allowed within an NDZ.
The forum has also questioned the GCZMA’s decision-making process, citing meeting minutes and the site inspection report to allege violation of the CRZ framework.
Observing that the matter raises a substantial environmental question, the Tribunal directed issuance of notices, returnable within four weeks. CCCF has also sought an interim stay on implementation of the permission.
The proposed beach development project has previously figured in gram sabha discussions in Colva.