Digital Goa, August 5 – The High Court on Wednesday (Aug 5) issued notices to the Goa government and other respondents on a PIL filed by Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) challenging the alleged commercialisation of Panjim Park, popularly known as Quarter Deck, on the banks of the Mandovi River. The matter has been posted for hearing on August 11. The NGO has alleged that the Tourism Department illegally leased the public recreational space to private entities for tourism infrastructure. They further alleged that the government fraudulently changed the land’s zoning from Flood Plain (FP) Recreational Zone to Special Commercial Zone, allowing significantly higher development potential from 5 FAR and 5 meter height to 300 FAR and 40 meter. GBA also contended that the works carried out exceeded the scope of the repair licence issued for plastering and waterproofing, and argued that the recreational land belongs to the people and cannot be converted into a private commercial enclave.
