Bicholim: A major controversy has surfaced in Karapur village of Sanquelim after local residents lodged a formal complaint alleging illegal construction of compound walls in Survey Nos. 176/1 and 148/0 by project proponent M/s Errichter Infra Pvt. Ltd. The complaint has been submitted to the Village Panchayat of Karapur-Sarvan, seeking urgent intervention and legal action.

The complaint, signed by Siddhesh Tari, Gauresh Ghadi, and social activist Swapnesh Sherlekar, alleges that a compound wall in Survey No. 176/1 was constructed without obtaining any construction licence from the Village Panchayat, making the structure an “outright illegal construction undertaken without lawful authority or approval.”

The complainants further alleged that although a construction licence was issued for Survey No. 148/0, the compound wall constructed at the site allegedly deviates from the approved plan. According to the complaint, the sanctioned plan reportedly provided for multiple openings ranging from 6 meters to 10 meters in the compound wall. However, the wall constructed on-site allegedly has no openings at all.

The villagers have claimed that the deviation has blocked traditional access routes used by locals to reach their tenanted agricultural lands and places of worship, thereby affecting customary rights and causing hardship to the community.

The complaint also points to alleged violations of Regulation 3.9(c) of the Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulations, 2010, stating that the project proponent was required to inform the Village Panchayat regarding the commencement of work for alignment purposes. The complainants alleged that no such record was found in the Panchayat files during an RTI inspection conducted on May 20, 2026.

Demands from Complainants

Issuance of a Show Cause Notice and demolition order for the wall allegedly constructed illegally in Survey No. 176/1.

Restoration of 6-meter and 10-meter openings in the compound wall at Survey No. 148/0 as per the approved plan.

Initiation of proceedings under the Panchayat Raj Act and Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulations, 2010.

The complainants have warned that if action is not taken within 30 days, they may approach the appropriate legal forum seeking directions against the alleged violations.

The complaint has also been marked to the Deputy Collector of Bicholim Taluka for further action.