Cong wants a controversial bungalow at Goa's heritage site demolished

Panaji: The Goa Congress urged the authority to demolish a bungalow allegedly an illegal construction at a protected heritage zone or pressure BJP national spokesperson Shaina NC to demolish it. The bungalow is reportedly owned by Shaina's husband.

Dinesh Gundu Rao, the AICC's Goa official, said that government officials and Town and Country Planning Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar may also need to be investigated for granting permission to build an illegal bungalow in the Old Goa area, which is a Unesco protected world heritage site.

During a press conference in Panaji, Rao said, "Take necessary steps to ensure that either the structure is demolished or to request that the BJP national spokesperson come and publicly declare that the building was built illegally. I myself will bring down the building."

Activists and the Congress party alleged that the construction of the bungalow near the heritage St. Cajetan Church in Old Goa was allegedly illegal, in violation of state and heritage laws. The controversy erupted several months ago.

In spite of the fact that the construction project was carried out by Munot and Suvarna Lotlikar, wife of former Goa Forward party treasurer Suraj Lotlikar, Shaina NC says "we have nothing to do with it".

Kavlekar had claimed that as Town and Country Planning Minister he did not grant permission for the project when he was BJP-led coalition. Following pressure from civil society activists, the BJP-led coalition government has agreed to do so.

Chandrakant Kavlekar, Minister of Town and Country Planning and Deputy Chief Minister has revoked permissions given for the project after immense pressure from civil society groups and opposition parties.