Flagged in CAG report, illegally built resort in Chengalpattu continues to function

Illegal Golden Bay resort in Koovathur operates in CRZ IV despite CAG flagging, lack of approvals, and enforcement challenges.

A resort built illegally in Cheyyur taluk of Chengalpattu district continues to operate despite being flagged in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India’s 2024 report.

The Golden Bay resort in Koovathur sits abutting a tidal-influenced water channel and falls squarely within the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) IV, specifically in a ‘No Development Zone’,where any construction is prohibited.

According to the CAG report, a fishermen’s association first raised a complaint to the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA) back in April 2017. Scrutiny of records revealed that the complainant, through an RTI query, had found that the resort had neither received CRZ clearance nor obtained building plan approval for the project. Additionally, no “Consent to Establish” had been issued by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB).

A joint physical inspection conducted in March 2021 by audit officials found the resort was constructed within 100 metres of a tidal-influenced water body, well within CRZ IV. However, as of February 2023, no substantive action had been taken.

While the TNPCB stated in February 2023 that a fresh show cause notice had been issued to the resort’s proponent in January, the government’s response in June 2023 only indicated that the Chengalpattu District Collector had been requested to take action. But despite these assurances, the resort remains operational nearly six years after the initial complaint.

A recent visit by this correspondent confirmed that the resort is still functional. Chengalpattu District Collector S. Arunraj could not be reached for comment.

A TNSCZMA official said that enforcement of CRZ rules is hampered by vague language of the CRZ Notification 2019, the lack of a clear approval process, and inadequate monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.