HC stops Resorts and Marinas on Goan coastline
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 28 October 2016 22:03 IST
At least seven major projects approved by the Investment Promotion Board are in trouble. It includes four resorts, two marinas and one health rejuvenation centre.
The Bombay high court at Goa has stopped these projects proposed all along the coastline, from Mandrem in Pedne to Varca in Salcete.
In response to the petition filed by Goa Foundation, the court has said the IPB cannot even examine these projects proposed in the Coastal Regulation Zone.
The order passed by a division bench of Justice Nutan Sardesai and Justice F M Ries stated as follows:
“The in-principle approval granted to the concerned Respondents would not be the basis for the concerned Authority examining any application for approval in Coastal Regulation Zone, in accordance with law.”
The projects are two marinas in Zuari river - one at Sancoale and another in Nauxim, four resorts – one five star hotel at Morjim, another resort at Mandrem, an eco-resort at Deao in Quepem, another resort in Benaulim, besides a Health Rejuvenation Centre at Varca.
Advocate General Saresh Lotlikar argued that the IPB had given only in-principle approvals to these projects, in order to obtain permissions from other authorities.
But the court upheld the contention of Goa Foundation that the Goa Investment Promotion Act itself prohibits the Board from recommending any construction within the CRZ area.
The act allows the IPB to give approval for foreshore facilities, but these projects are not foreshore facilities.
Goa Foundation had filed a petition against the Chief Secretary, district collectors, Investment Promotion Board, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, Pollution Control Board, respective village panchayats and the seven companies.
Its allready.to.late!!!