A file photo of notices pasted on structures in road expansion areas in Margao begged for inaction.

MARGAO

The Supreme Court’s consideration of the issue of illegal constructions, including illegal constructions along roads and within municipal and Panchayat jurisdictions, may put the authorities in a difficult position.

Reason: The authorities, including PWDs, panchayats and municipalities, were taken by surprise by initiating action against rampant violations, encroachments and illegal constructions along roads and on government property for political reasons.

In fact, after the High Court took suo moto cognizance of illegal constructions along roads as well as on municipal and Panchayat boundaries, questions are being raised in official circles as to how these same authorities, which have been found to be slow in taking action, will demolish lawlessness.

Blame it on political patronage or whatever, but there are many examples of rampant encroachments and violations of the law in road widening zones on lands acquired by the disabled, besides encroachments on properties belonging to health and municipalities in and around the commercial capital.

Will PWD demolish

stop encroachments?

In August 2022, the VI Road Division of the Public Works Department posted notices regarding dozens of illegal constructions and encroachments on road widening sites in Salsete Talukas. In fact, more than 50-60 illegal structures came under the lens of the then PWD Executive Engineer Prasad Panandikar when PWDs were busy sticking notices on the structures.

Exactly two years later, structures, including illegal gadas and other structures, continue to stand in the areas for widening roads for the disabled due to lack of action. Reason: After compiling a list of illegal buildings and violations, disabled officials appear to have calmly carried the process to its logical conclusion.

Moreover, a senior PWD official was categorical, saying that demolition work had been stopped by politicians and authorities, with the result that not a single structure had been demolished so far. “PWD officers have compiled a comprehensive list of illegal constructions and encroachments in road widening areas in Margao and adjoining areas. After about 50-60 structures were found in the road widening areas, demolition notices were pasted on them, but politicians stalled the matter,” said a senior PWD officer.

A PWD official noted that the department cannot even begin to dismantle the unauthorized structures located near the Komba railway crossing, despite the fact that these structures add to congestion in the area when the crossing is closed to vehicular traffic.

We are waiting for action on health

real estate in Monte Hill

When an unprecedented disaster struck the picturesque Wayanad district of Kerala during the monsoon season, august members of the Goa Legislative Assembly sounded a note of caution and warned that a similar fate could befall Goa if anyone encroaches on the green mountains and hills of the state.

Welcome to Monte Hill, where Deputy Director of Health and Medical Superintendent of South Goa District Hospital, Dr. Rajendra Borkar, has been trying to clear illegal structures at the Monte Hill health facility for the last one year by asking questions.

Consider this: On November 20, 2023, Dr. Rajendra Borkar wrote a letter to the Chief Margao Municipality pointing out the illegal huts built on the premises of Hospice No. PT No. 191, Chalta No. 75, Monte Hill, Margao. In fact, it has been noted that the huts demolished on February 24, 2021 by the demolition squad in Margao have been reconstructed.

Dr. Borkar apparently sought the help and assistance of the MMC to carry out the panchanama and demolish the structures after completing the legal formalities under the Goa Municipalities Act.

Investigation revealed that the illegal structures were demolished by the then Salchete Mamlatdar Prataprao Gaonkar in 2021 ahead of the Assembly elections.

Sources in the Ministry of Health said that MMK did not follow up the complaint to its logical conclusion.