Daijiworld Media Network - Calangute

Calangute, Sep 11: The Candolim panchayat, along with MLA Michael Lobo, on Thursday cleared several illegal structures and encroachments, including a biryani outlet operating from the former electricity department office next to the primary health centre (PHC) in the village.

Shops and restaurants located behind the PHC were among the structures demolished during the drive.

The owner of an adjacent private property claimed that the structures stood on his land, while Lobo and panchayat members maintained that the encroached land belonged to the government health department.

“The owner of the neighbouring property initially resisted the demolition team, so we had to summon the police. We will definitely clear everything,” Lobo said.

He said the encroachment had developed in stages, beginning with a food cart that was later converted into a concrete structure, followed by another cart and structure.

“We will be bringing a cutting machine to remove the concrete slabs. It will be completed in the next three to four days. The encroachment is around 7,000sqm,” he said.

Lobo said the encroachment came to light after construction of the new PHC building began.

“We brought in the land survey department, and its officials have marked the plot. The land is needed for a building to house a laboratory, X-ray machine, and other equipment,” he said.

The biryani outlet, which had started operating from the former electricity department office next to the PHC, was also cleared during the drive.

Another illegal restaurant at the Aguada-Nerul road junction was demolished on Thursday.

A large number of police personnel from the Calangute police station were deployed during the demolition drive.