Goa Nightclub Tragedy: Venue Flagged for Illegal Construction in 2024, Says Govt
Documents tabled in the Goa Assembly reveal revenue officials had flagged multiple violations at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in 2024, including illegal land conversion and unsafe structures.
Panaji, Jan 18: The Goa government has informed the legislative assembly that the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa’s Arpora where 25 people lost their lives in a fire last month had been flagged for illegal construction by revenue authorities in 2024.
In a written reply tabled on Friday, State Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserratte presented official documents indicating that the nightclub was constructed by illegally converting land and demolishing a traditional sluice gate within a salt pan area.
The documents show that the original owners of the property, Pradeep Ghadi Amonkar and Sunil Divkar, had filed a formal complaint with the Bardez taluka mamlatdar on December 21, 2023, against the then Maizon Lake View Resort, which was later renamed Birch by Romeo Lane after being leased to brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra.
The complainants alleged that construction was carried out without mandatory land conversion or zoning change, and that development had taken place on tenanted land. The complaint further claimed that a traditional sluice gate was demolished and sewage was being discharged into the Baga river.
According to the records placed before the House, the complainants had also warned that the discotheque was operating in an unsafe structure that could potentially lead to a major tragedy. They highlighted the misuse of open spaces in violation of building by-laws.
Following the complaint, the Bardez mamlatdar directed the Arpora-Nagoa panchayat talathi to inspect the premises. The inspection reportedly confirmed large-scale illegalities, including construction within the salt pan area and demolition of the sluice gate.
The documents further revealed that landfilling had been carried out over approximately 25,750 square metres, with an average fill height of 1.5 metres. The inspection detailed allocations of 4,000 sqm for parking, 7,500 sqm for shops, 7,250 sqm for landscaping and water sports, and additional landscaped areas. Two central structures measuring 2,000 sqm and 1,400 sqm housing the nightclub cum restaurant were located on the former salt pan.
According to the report, the resort proprietor Surinder Khosla claimed to possess all necessary documents but failed to produce them despite being given multiple opportunities over nearly two months.
The issue was raised in the House by Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai. The winter session of the Goa Legislative Assembly concluded on January 16.
