Panaji, Feb 28 (IANS): The Bombay High Court in Goa on Friday directed the Indian Navy's Flag Officer commanding the Goa area, to initiate action against unauthorised constructions which have mushroomed near the state's Dabolim International airport within a period of nine months.

The Court was hearing a public interest litigation, in which the petitioner had alleged that the state government's planning bodies and the local panchayat ignored the notices issued by the Naval authorities to stop the construction and allowed unauthorised construction in the close vicinity of the Indian-Navy operated airport.

"From the record, we find that the Mormugao Planning and Development Authority (MPDA) has not only ignored with impunity several letters and communications addressed by the Flag Officer, commanding in the context of unauthorized constructions mushrooming around the Dabolim Airport but further attempt was made by the MPDA to even overreach the action of the Central Authorities under the Aircraft Act, particularly in the context of 2015 Rules and the CCZM prepared there under by the Central Authorities," Justice Satish Sonak said in his order.

In course of the hearing, the Indian Navy had told the High Court, that "no action was taken by the MPDA, the village panchayat of Chicalim and the state government officials to stop the construction" despite been sent as many as eight letters.

The Indian Navy has repeatedly cautioned against the construction within 20 km from the airport's runway.