Non-clearance of shacks: HC disposes of 11-yr-old PIL

Panaji: The Bombay high court on Monday disposed of an 11-year-old PIL regarding the failure to clear shacks at Umta Vaddo, Calangute, after the end of the 2013 tourism season. This decision came after it found that the new shack policy had extensive guidelines to protect the environment.Filed by Reuben Franco, the PIL had also raised the issue of shack allottees building septic tanks on the beach, in violation of rules.The HC observed that govt’s latest shack policy, 2023-26, has extensive conditions that include provisions for environmental protection, and also makes it mandatory for shack allottees to provide portable toilets adhering to norms set down by the statutory authorities.“The policy makes it mandatory for shack allottees to follow noise pollution norms too, among other restrictions that include no construction of septic tanks and soak pits, or open drainage of toilet waste into the ground.

It thus covers all aspects that are complained of in the petition,” observed the bench comprising Justices Valmiki Menezes and Shreeram V Shirsat.Then tourism director Ameya Abhayankar had filed an affidavit in the HC in Sep 2014, stating that the vestiges of shacks from the 2012-13 tourism season were completely removed. He also said a team attached to the tourism department inspected the sites and noted that there were no septic tanks at the time.