The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday asked the Chicalim Panchayat to submit a report on the illegal construction in the Funnel Zone of Dabolim Airport.
The matter, which was scheduled to be heard before the Division Bench of Justice M S Sonak and Justice M S Jawalkar on Tuesday, was adjourned following a request from the legal representative of Chicalim Village Panchayat that a survey in this regard will be completed in two weeks. Therefore, the hearing has been adjourned till October 25.
The Goa bench, while giving time to adjourn the hearing, directed the Panchayat Sarpanch and Secretary to submit a detailed affidavit before the hearing as no construction is permitted in this funnel zone.
However, about 74 constructions have been erected illegally. The construction has not been sanctioned by the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA). Therefore, it has been asked to submit the information on permission for the construction.
The Indian Navy was given a deadline to take legal action against the construction. The flag officer should present the information at the next hearing.
The High Court had last year directed the Director-General of Naval, Civil Aviation Authority to take action on unauthorised constructions around the airport area within nine months. The authorities have been warned that they could face contempt of court charges if no action is taken.