Peeved Didi halts bulldozer action in tourism hub

OVERRULING the district administration's decision, the West Bengal government on Tuesday chose not to demolish 140 illegal hotels, resorts, and homestays in Mandormani, a significant tourist destination located along West Bengal's coastline.

- Sulagna Sengupta

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's announcement came hours after the district administration decided to raze the unauthorized structures.

Terming it a 'unilateral decision' taken by the authorities, the CM said that no demolitions will take place until the state government issues an order.

Earlier in the day, the East Medinipur district administration issued demolition orders after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) flagged violations of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules that govern construction in coastal areas to prevent environmental degradation. The properties in question were built in areas where construction is restricted under these guidelines, which aim to protect the coastal ecosystem from overdevelopment.