Digital Goa, Mar 19 – High Court has directed the state tourism department to crack down on illegal constructions and businesses operating from such premises on beaches across Goa, informed AG Devidas Pangam. The Court has asked the Dept to take strict action against such constructions. The Court also asked the govt to ensure that they are not given water and electricity connections. The Court has also issued directions to Director of Tourism to keep a strict vigil to ensure that such illegal constructions do not crop up on beaches across Goa. Court has also ordered that criminal action be initiated against existing or ongoing illegal constructions on beaches across the state. Environment Dept has also been directed to recover environmental damage cost from the illegal construction owners. The court directions came during the hearing of the matter related to illegal constructions at Calangute and Baga. High Court has asked the tourism department to remove all the illegal constructions which have mushroomed on govt land on beaches in Calangute and Baga area. Tourism Dept had removed several such constructions. However, during the inspection by authorities on March 15, several more such structures were unearthed. Govt has told the High Court that these structures too will be removed in next 2 months, informed AG.
