VC is concerned about the growing number of illegal structures in the state

Team Herald

PANJIM: The Bombay High Court in Goa on Tuesday heard a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) petition over illegal construction rampant in the state.

During the hearing, topics such as water and electricity connections to unauthorized structures, the role of the Goa Panchayati Raj Act, the inaction of village panchayats and the long-standing delay in demolishing illegal structures were discussed. The court described the situation as “alarming” and urged the state government to take steps to check the proliferation of illegal constructions and encroachments.

According to lawyer Vital Naik, appointed amicus curiae in the case, the High Court has broadly divided illegal construction into four categories: illegal; buildings along roads, on public lands, on private property without obtaining the necessary permits, as well as illegal buildings in no-development zones (NZZ), agricultural leased lands and forested areas.

Adv Naik said the court held preliminary discussions and wanted to know what steps need to be taken to implement the statutory provisions of the Goa Panchayati Raj Act. The case will take place on Wednesday. On October 18, while hearing the writ petition, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice B P Deshpande admitted the PIL.

) Suo Motu, noting that illegal construction is being carried out tirelessly and unhindered on government land. Despite having adequate legislative mechanisms and machinery in place, the authorities concerned appear to have been negligent in discharging their responsibilities due to which encroachers and others have been emboldened to not only encroach on government land but also carry out illegal construction without the necessary legal permissions.