HC notices on PIL for razing of Grand Hyatt Goa

Panaji, Aug 29 (IANS) The Goa Bench of Bombay High Court Bench here on Thursday issued notices to the management of Grand Hyatt Goa, the Chief Secretary and senior government officials, while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking demolition of allegedly illegal structures of the hotel and re-clamation of an adjoining public beach stretch.The Division Bench, comprising Justice C.V. Bhadang and Justice Nutan D. Sardessai, directed them to file affidavits in response to the notice within six weeks.In the PIL, the local NGO Goa Foundation has urged the court to restrain the hotel, located near Siridao beach village in North Goa, from further use and exploitation of the premises for purposes of a luxury resort.It also sought directions to the Town Planning Department and the local panchayat to demolish the hotel, located 50-100 metre from the high tide line.The NGO also sought restoration of the area to its original condition, and an interim order staying operations at the hotel and treating the structure as a violation of coastal regulatory zone.
--IANS maya/pcj