from daijiworld's special correspondent
Panaji, Oct 18: The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court has directed authorities not to grant new licences for any construction in the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) in the state.
The direction was given on Tuesday by a bench comprising Justices R M S Khandeparkar and N A Britto on a petition filed by a north Goa organisation seeking restriction on new constructions to protect the environment in coastal areas.
The court said the order will remain in force till a survey and an inquiry is completed into the number of dwelling units and other constructions existing in the CRZ as on February 19, 1991, and the increase in their number thereafter.
It also asked authorities in the state to identify open plots in the CRZ for building hotels and to frame appropriate policy for their use before allowing any constructions in future.
The petition was filed by the Goa Foundation.