Bombay High Court Sets Two-Week Deadline for Socorro Sports Complex Decision
The Bombay High Court has issued a directive to the deputy town planner in Mapusa, ordering a thorough examination of the revised plan for the long-pending multipurpose sports complex at Socorro. The court has mandated that a decision on whether to grant technical clearance must be reached within a strict timeframe of two weeks.
Public Interest Litigation Seeks Urgent Opening of Facilities
This judicial intervention comes in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Yadnesh Sanzgiry and other concerned citizens. The PIL highlights the non-utilisation of the extensive sports complex and associated facilities, which sprawl over an area of 4,500 square meters. The complex includes amenities such as a swimming pool and a badminton court, among others, all of which have remained inaccessible to the public.
The core demand of the PIL is the prompt opening of these sports facilities for community use at the earliest possible opportunity. During the most recent court hearing, Advocate General Devidas Pangam informed the bench that the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation has now applied for technical approval based on a revised plan dated February 2, 2026. This revised plan was formally submitted to the deputy town planner on February 4.
Revised Plan Required Due to Construction Deviations
Pangam explained to the court that the submission of a revised plan was necessitated by certain deviations in the construction from the originally approved blueprint. These deviations require regularization through the proper technical approval process. He emphasized that the occupancy and operationalization of the entire sports complex are contingent upon the deputy town planner in Mapusa granting technical approval for this revised plan.
At an earlier hearing, the counsel representing the petitioners clarified that the petition is not adversarial in nature. The counsel recounted that the project was initially approved back in 2013 but has astonishingly remained unused for the past 12 to 13 years. Despite completion, the facility has been rendered non-operational, raising significant concerns.
Structural Safety Concerns for Future Users
The petitioners' counsel raised a critical point regarding structural stability, noting that since the complex has been exposed to the elements for approximately 13 years, a comprehensive assessment is imperative. This is especially crucial as the facility is intended for use by children, underscoring the need for rigorous safety evaluations before public access is permitted.
In a previous update from January, Advocate General Pangam had informed the High Court that the construction of the project is complete. However, it remains in a state of limbo, awaiting an occupancy certificate from the Socorro village panchayat, which is a prerequisite for its operational launch.
The High Court's latest directive aims to break this bureaucratic deadlock, pushing for a swift resolution to unlock the sports complex for the benefit of the local community in Goa.
