Bold & beautiful but in breach of rules

Bold & beautiful but in breach of rules

Herald Review June 8, 2014

Bollywood wives Sussanne Roshan and Gauri Khan’s Siridao project, Naira that is targeting the super rich with its super luxury bespoke villas runs foul of Goa environment laws and has been served a show cause notice by the office of Collector, North Goa

LISA ANN MONTEIRO

Acting on a complaint of hill cutting in Firguem, Siridao, the flying squad team last week issued Emgee Properties a Show Cause Notice. The notice states that in pursuance to the Order No 4- 5 Flying Squad / RB/ dated 21/ 05/ 2010 of the Collector and District Magistrate of North Goa, the flying squad visited the site on 22/ 05/ 2014 at 12: 40pm. They observed that hill cutting was done for a length of 25 metres, breadth of 4 metres and to the height of 2.5 metres ( approx) at Survey No 43/ 1 at Siridao in Tiswadi.

The notice states that it could not be a s c e r t a ine d whether the party had valid permissions issued by competent authorities, or title documents, licenses etc. The notice issued by the Additional Collector North Goa District Swapnil Naik directed the party to stop the ongoing work immediately upon receipt of the show cause notice and to show cause within five days from the receipt of the notice and to explain as to why the matter should not be referred to the concerned Town and Country Planning department for restoration of the said land. The PI Agacaim Police Station was also directed to get the order executed within 24 hours.

Emgee’s project ‘ Naira’ in Siridao was launched by Bollywood wives Sussanne Roshan and Gauri Khan in March in Dubai at socialite Rekha Tourani’s Emirates Hills residence.

Roshan also promoted the Siridao “ uber luxury, super exclusive villa project” in Ludhiana last month.

The project spread over 67,000 sq feet promises 12 bespoke ( custom- made) fully furnished villas each with a spectacular sea view.

Each villa will be on a 500 sq mt plot with a central courtyard, vertical gardens— to keep each villa private from the next one— a lounge on the second level and an infinity pool with bar deck among other amenities.

“ Each of these 12 villas is much more than a home. Conceptualised, curated and executed with a signature archi tectural style and uber a t t i t u d e … A throwback to the 60s and 70s era of chic style and pop statements.

Naira comprises three types of homes each with its distinct personality— the Traveller, The Player and the Dreamer,” its website states.

Naira promoters say the property is 120 mt from the sea on hilly terrain, with the sea in the front and forest behind. With all amenities provided including cutlery and crockery, all the owner has to do is to walk in with his/ her suitcase, the developers promise. Each villa being custom built will have a different price tag. But reports say each unit will cost nothing less than Rs 10 crore. The project is expected to be complete in 2016.

Addl Collector Swapnil Naik told Herald Review that the matter is before the TCP which has to verify whether it is hill cutting for the purpose of levelling the ground, or for a basement. Review Bureau