12 September 2024: A historic 30-year struggle against an illegal hotel project by M/s Kyle San Holidays Pvt. Ltd in Primeiro Vaddo, Velsao, has finally concluded with the demolition of the structure. The fight, initiated by Goa’s eminent leader and former General Secretary of Goenchea Raponkarancho Ekvott, the late Matanhy Saldanha, began after the hotel was found to be in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 1991 norms.
The legal battle, which started in the High Court of Bombay at Goa, later moved to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in Pune. In 2014, the NGT ordered the demolition of the hotel, a decision that was upheld by the Supreme Court of India in 2017.
Camilo Souza, a former panch of Velsao who served in 2002, recalled how late Matanhy Saldanha had spearheaded the fight. Souza, under Saldanha’s guidance, collected crucial evidence that formed the basis of the legal petition. Reflecting on the victory, Souza praised Saldanha’s unwavering dedication, noting that his efforts have borne fruit even after his passing.
Current ward panch Francisco Braganza revealed that his panchayat was fined one lakh rupees due to the previous committee members’ support for the project. Despite this, he stated that his Sarpanch had written several letters to the Collector, urging the enforcement of the court’s demolition order. Braganza also issued a stern warning to the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department and the CRZ authorities, cautioning them against approving projects without thorough ground inspections. He vowed that his panchayat would fiercely oppose any mega projects that threaten the village’s interests and environment. Braganza also appealed to landlords to refrain from selling land to outsiders, emphasizing the importance of preserving the village’s sanctity.
Olencio Simoes, recalling his youth, spoke of the death threats his uncle, Matanhy Saldanha, received during the fight. Despite the threats, Saldanha remained resolute, never succumbing to the pressure exerted by the hoteliers. Simoes expressed disappointment over the seven-year delay in the hotel’s demolition, despite the Supreme Court’s 2017 order. He also criticized the GCZMA and the TCP for approving large-scale projects in No Development Zones (NDZ) and Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ), areas meant to protect the livelihoods of local communities and preserve coastal environments. Simoes extended his gratitude to Dr. Norma and Dr. Claude Alvares of the Goa Foundation for their selfless legal efforts, which brought this case to a just conclusion.
