Week after,hotel’s construction stayed

The under construction hotel is owned by local BJP leader Vikram Odedara.

The nagarpalika town planning committee passed a resolution to this effect,putting an immediate ban on the construction. The local body has cited the same reasons which Devani had mentioned as “violation” of the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) rules in his complaints to the Chief Minister Grievances Cell and the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

“A recent survey by a nagarpalika engineer has revealed that the construction violates CRZ norms,” said nagarpalika in-charge Chief Officer Dhanji Shiyal. “Violation of 12 rules has been found. The major and important one is regarding the location of this three-star hotel,which is 36 metres from the sea coast. As per CRZ rules,there shouldn’t be any construction within 50 metres of the sea line,” he added.

The hotel project was given a go ahead a year ago by the nagarpalika,which was ruled by the BJP then,and two floors have already been completed.

Reacting to the development,Sunil Gohel,the then nagarpalika president,said: “No rules were bent (for approving the project). At that time,all the papers were clear. The fact that the building was given permission proves that there was nothing wrong in the plan presented to the nagarpalika.”

The Devanis,meanwhile,have welcomed the decision. “It is nice to hear that the construction has been stopped. My father has also welcomed this decision,” said Sameer,Devani’s son.

Devani,who is undergoing treatment at the Porbandar Civil Hospital,was stabbed by four persons on June 24 allegedly after his RTI applications proved that the proposed hotel and a high-rise near the airport were illegal constructions. Subsequently,four persons,including Vikram Odedara’s brother Laku,were arrested.

According to nagarpalika officials,on the original site existed a bungalow owned by the family of industrialist Jay Mehta. The building

was reportedly mortgaged and owners were declared defaulters,after which

the Odedaras bought the building for nearly Rs 3 crore in an auction.