Mandarmani Hoteliers Move Calcutta HC Challenging DM's Order For Demolition Of 'Illegal Constructions' Which Violated Coastal Guidelines

Hoteliers from West Bengal's popular resort town Mandarmani, have approached the Calcutta High Court seeking to challenge an order by the chairperson of the district-level committee for the West Bengal Coastal Regulation Zone Authority (WBCZMA), citing a 2022 NGT order, directing the demolition of 'illegal constructions' on the beach, which allegedly violated coastal guidelines.

According to reports, the District Magistrate has directed constructions of almost 140 hotels to be demolished by 20th November, failing which, legal action would be taken.

The petitioners have stated that the hotels in Mandarmani are the source of livelihood for thousands of people, and demolishing them would render many jobless. It has also been stated that this would have a damaging effect on the sprawling tourism industry in the area.

It is further stated by the petitioners that the construction built by them was not unauthorised, and were in fact sanctioned by the district administration.

In May 2022, the NGT had ordered the demolition of illegal constructions in Mandarmani. The tribunal had noted that these hotels and resorts were built in violation of coastal regulations, causing great harm to coastal and marine ecology.

It also criticised the WBCZMA for failing to enforce the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification by allowing large-scale illegal constructions in the "no-development zone."