PANAJI: The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Goa government and a project developer regarding a special leave petition (SLP) that contests a Bombay High Court ruling, which dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) against the construction of eight luxury villas with private swimming pools in Oxel, Siolim.
The notices must be returned by April 13. Petitioner Suraj Chodankar raised concerns that the project lies within 34.5 meters of the Oxel spring—a 363-year-old perennial water source vital for residents. The High Court based its decision on a hydrogeological report from the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), which indicated that the project would likely not disrupt the Oxel spring.
The SLP argues that the High Court misapplied the law by endorsing the CGWB’s report. The petitioner aims to halt a luxury development that is deemed unsustainable, unsuitable for local conditions, and a potential threat to an essential community resource. “The Oxel spring provides reliable drinking water, especially as Siolim faces a water shortfall of 7MLD against a total demand of 15.4MLD,” the petition asserts.
