Panaji: The Goa government has disclosed in the state legislative assembly that the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, where a tragic fire claimed 25 lives last month, had previously been flagged for illegal construction by revenue officials in 2024. The revelation underscores longstanding regulatory lapses and raises questions about enforcement of building and safety regulations in the state.

The nightclub, located in Arpora in North Goa, was the site of one of the deadliest recent fires in the state, which claimed 25 lives and left several others injured. The fire incident occurred despite prior warnings regarding the legality and safety of the establishment, according to documents tabled in the assembly.

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Illegal Construction Complaints Filed in 2023

State Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserratte submitted a written reply to the assembly on Friday, attaching documents that trace the nightclub’s illegal construction history. The documents revealed that the club had been built by demolishing a traditional sluice gate inside a salt pan, and the land was converted illegally without proper approvals.

The original property owners, 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. They had previously signed an agreement for sale with Surinder Khosla, the proprietor of the resort.

In their complaint, the owners alleged multiple violations, including:

• Construction on tenanted land without legal conversion of land or a change in zoning.
• Demolition of the traditional sluice gate, which disrupted the original salt pan infrastructure.
• Improper sewage discharge into the Baga river.
• Operation of the nightclub within an unsafe structure that could “cause a major tragedy.”
• Misuse of open spaces in violation of building by-laws.

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Inspection Confirms Gross Irregularities

Following the complaint, the Bardez mamlatdar instructed the Arpora-Nagoa panchayat talathi to inspect the premises. The inspection confirmed multiple illegalities, including:

• Construction within the salt pan by demolishing the sluice gate.
• Extensive landfilling over 25,750 square metres with an average height of 1.5 metres.

The talathi’s report also broke down the land use within the property:

• 4,000 sqm designated for parking.
• 7,500 sqm allocated for shops.
• 7,250 sqm used for landscaping and water sports.
• 3,600 sqm landscaped in the western part of the property.
• The central portion, originally the salt pan, contained two structures of 2,000 sqm and 1,400 sqm, which housed the nightclub and restaurant.

The documents tabled by the Revenue Minister also highlighted that the party in question claimed to have all relevant documents but failed to produce them despite multiple opportunities over nearly two months.

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Assembly Session Disclosure

The issue was formally presented during the winter session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, held from January 12 to 16, in response to a question from Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai. Monserratte’s submission made it clear that the nightclub’s illegal status had been documented well before the tragic fire, and the risks had been explicitly pointed out to the authorities.

The disclosure raises broader questions about enforcement and accountability within state regulatory mechanisms, particularly regarding:

• Compliance with land conversion and zoning regulations.
• Adherence to fire safety and building codes.
• Oversight of commercial establishments operating on environmentally sensitive land, including salt pans and riverbanks.

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Safety and Regulatory Concerns

The incident at Birch by Romeo Lane highlights the dangers of operating commercial establishments in violation of building codes. Salt pans, which are integral to the coastal ecosystem, were altered to accommodate structures, raising environmental and safety concerns. The demolition of the traditional sluice gate also disrupted the water management system of the area.

The nightclub fire further underscores the critical importance of strict safety inspections and proactive enforcement by local authorities. Despite clear documentation of violations, the club remained operational, ultimately leading to a fatal incident.

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Political and Administrative Repercussions

The government’s disclosure is likely to intensify scrutiny of both past and present enforcement failures, including:

• Delays in addressing complaints submitted by property owners.
• Insufficient monitoring of construction in sensitive areas like Arpora.
• Lack of preventive inspections and fire safety audits in commercial entertainment venues.

MLAs and opposition leaders may press for a detailed investigation to determine why warning signs from 2023–24 were not acted upon, and what measures will be implemented to prevent similar tragedies.

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Conclusion

The revelation that the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub had been flagged for illegal construction long before the fire tragedy adds a significant dimension to the ongoing investigation. It underscores the need for stringent enforcement of building codes, zoning regulations, and safety norms, particularly in areas with historical, environmental, or cultural significance.

As Goa mourns the loss of 25 lives, the incident also serves as a wake-up call for authorities to ensure that legal and regulatory frameworks are implemented effectively, and that public safety is prioritized over commercial interests.

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