Illegal constructions near Goa International airport, High court to take action

The chicalim panchayat will provide an affidavit in regard to 74 structures. These structures were constructed within the funnel zone illegally and without any permission from the MPDA (Mormugao planning and development authority).

On Tuesday the high court of Bombay at Goa is going to hear a case related to the illegal constructions within the funnel zone of Goa International Airport. All the illegal structures that have been recognized by the Indian Navy now have to submit a timeline to act against it.

After posting a hearing for Tuesday, the High court said, “The Flag Officer Commanding to also give us the timeline within which the complaints about the structures that have allegedly come up in the funnel zone, in the survey, other than 60/2, will be disposed of.”

Likewise, the Chicalim panchayat has been asked to submit a “statement about whether there are almost 74 structures, which might be in the funnel area that have come up without any permission from the MPDA”. In the court hearing, the chicalim panchayat will provide an affidavit in the regard to 74 structures. These structures were constructed within the funnel zone illegally and without having any permission from the MPDA (Mormugao planning and development authority).

The high court authorized the DGCA (DGCA) Navy and director general of civil aviation in February 2020 to initiate action against unauthorized buildings around Goa International Airport. Despite the guidance, no effort has been taken and at the final hearing, the high court announced that it will “consider whether any action under the Contempt of Courts Act is necessary”.

When Naval officials went to inspect the airport site around 70-75 illegal structures were found in the funnel area and that’s why Justices M S Sonak and M S Jawalkar said that the panchayat’s statement is necessary.

“On inquiry, the MPDA stated that they have permitted only two of these structures. Therefore, the question arises as to how so many structures have come up without the permission of the MPDA. The sarpanch will also have to make a statement as to whether any permissions have been granted by the panchayat for these structures,” observed the high court.