Goa government allowed resort to violate CRZ norms: Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court's Panaji bench on Monday hauled up the state government for allowing the construction of the Marriott Resort and Spa, a five star property here, without adhering to coastal regulation zone (CRZ) norms.

In its order, which was kept on hold for eight weeks, a bench of Justice K.L. Wadane and Justice F.M. Reis said: "We prima facie find that there is development/construction activity carried out which may include the swimming pool and the compound wall towards the seaward side of the imaginary line to be drawn from the light house referred to in the said plan".

Commenting on the conduct of "concerned authorities of the state government", the court found them "wanting".

The order came on a PIL filed by NGO Goa Foundation way back in 1992.

"The whole conduct appears to be to allow a hotel project without examining the norms as provided in the CRZ Notification of 1991. The conduct of ...the concerned authorities appears to be aimed solely to enable (the proponent) to put up the subject hotel project in the said property without examining the relevant provisions of law," said the judgment.

It said added that the promoters of the five-star property Palm Hotel India Ltd and Goa Marriott Resort were "playing hide and seek" vis a vis their position on law.

The Goa government has also been asked to take all measures necessary to top the siltation of the Mandovi river running adjacent to the hotel and prevent erosion of its banks.