Plea against construction of designer Tarun Tahiliani’s property in Goa, he tells court will halt work

The plea claims that the technical clearance and the construction license have been issued by “overlooking” statutory requirements of the physical availability of the road infrastructure, thereby making the grant of clearance and license contrary to the Regional Plan for Goa 2021 and building regulations. The plea states that while no residential construction is permitted in “natural Cover/ orchard zone” except for a farmhouse, the construction in question is “not a farmhouse, but a private residential development including swimming pool and staff quarters”.

Among various reliefs sought, the plea prays for quashing of the November 10, 2011 technical clearance granted by the Town and Country Planning department. It further seeks an interim order restraining Tahiliani from carrying out any further construction activities in the property pending the hearing and disposal of the plea.

Congress MLA Carlos Ferreira, advocate for the petitioners, told the media, “This project is in the area that falls under the village panchayat of Pomburpa-Olaulim, and it is close to the Dhadeshwar temple. It is a very sacred place. People’s sentiments should be taken into account.”

Tahiliani’s lawyer made a statement before the court that no further construction work will be carried out till the next hearing. Senior advocate Nitin Sardessai, appearing for the respondent, said, “We made a statement that we will not carry out construction till we file a reply in the court.” The matter has been posted for February 20.

The petitioners have claimed that in March 2023, they received information about “illegal developmental activities” being carried out in the village on the property consisting of private forest/natural cover and encompassing rich biodiversity. It states that when they inquired from the panchayat, they found that no permission had been granted for any development in this area by the panchayat.