PANAJI: Old residential homes along Goa’s coastal belt that existed before February 1991 could now have a clearer path towards regularisation, following a clarification issued by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA).
The Authority has clarified that residential dwelling units existing before February 1991 can be considered for regularisation under the Goa Regularisation of Unauthorised Construction Act, 2016, even in cases where the property falls within or raises questions regarding Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas.
However, the clarification comes with conditions. Applicants will have to provide conclusive documentary evidence proving that the structure existed before 1991. The dwelling must also have the required approvals from the concerned authorities and should substantially retain its original shape and size.
The clarification does not automatically cover structures constructed after 1991. Such cases will have to be placed before the GCZMA before the competent authority takes a decision on regularisation.
The decision came after Deputy Collectors repeatedly sought guidance while processing applications under the 2016 regularisation law, particularly where properties were located within or suspected to fall under CRZ areas.
The GCZMA noted that determining the applicable CRZ status is crucial, as coastal regulations may affect whether a structure is eligible for regularisation.
Earlier, such cases were generally referred to the Authority individually to determine the applicable CRZ limits. The GCZMA said the growing number of references highlighted the need for a uniform procedure.
Accordingly, CRZ determinations will have to be made with reference to approved CRZ maps, the Coastal Zone Management Plan, relevant notifications and other applicable statutory provisions in force when the regularisation application is considered.
The move is intended to bring greater consistency and transparency to the process and avoid differing interpretations of CRZ boundaries in similar cases.
Under the 2016 Act, Deputy Collectors can consider specified unauthorised residential and commercial structures on private, Comunidade and government land, subject to the conditions prescribed under the law and applicable rules.
The GCZMA’s clarification is therefore expected to provide greater certainty for eligible pre-1991 residential structures while keeping post-1991 constructions subject to scrutiny by the Authority.
