In 2024, the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) floated a tender for the Unity Mall project as part of a central government initiative to create a large exhibition and retail space showcasing products from all Indian states and Union Territories. The state government transferred 25,000 square metres of land at Chimbel village in Tiswadi taluka belonging to the IT department to the tourism department for mall. However, local residents objected to the project site, stating that the land was low-lying, flood-prone, and part of a natural drainage system feeding into downstream areas including Panaji.
Various reports placed the total project cost between Rs 161 crore and Rs 201.72 crore, with the Union Ministry of Finance sanctioning Rs 100 crore, of which 50 percent was released. The project included 36 state stalls, a food court, parking facilities, and exhibition halls, and construction was awarded to Comt Constructions, with a proposed timeline of about 20 months.
Villagers claimed that large-scale construction would block water flow, increase flooding risk, and damage groundwater recharge. Questions were also raised about whether the land fell under wetland or eco-sensitive protection norms, and whether mandatory environmental scrutiny had been followed. Despite objections, site preparation work began, and by late 2025, reports indicated that around Rs 25 crore had already been spent on preparatory work, deepening community resentment.
By late 2025, local opposition intensified into organised protests. Villagers alleged that the Chimbel Panchayat and planning authorities had cleared the project without adequate consultation with the gram sabha and without addressing environmental risks. In December 2025, residents began continuous protests, including public meetings, marches, and a hunger strike by villagers, activists, and environmental experts. The protest drew participation from nearby villages, and received support from civil society groups and opposition political leaders. Protesters repeatedly demanded that construction be stopped and the project relocated.
Amid growing unrest, petitions** **were filed before the High Court of Bombay at Goa and the [North Goa District and Sessions Court](https://www.thegoan.net/goa-news/unity-mall-court-grants-interim-stay-on-deputy-director’s-order/140084.html) at Goa, raising issues related to land classification, flooding risk, environmental compliance, and procedural lapses in approvals. In November 2025, the High Court stalled the Block Development Officer’s order directing the Chimbel Village Panchayat to issue a construction licence to the GTDC for the proposed Unity Mall. In early January 2026, the sessions court ordered a stay on construction work at the Unity Mall site, directing authorities to halt all activity until further hearings.
Following sustained protests, court intervention, and mounting political pressure, the Goa government on 9 February 2026 announced that it would relocate the Unity Mall project away from Chimbel. Although, the government has not yet disclosed where the mall will be constructed. A day later, the residents of Chimbel called off their 44-day chain hunger strike. The residents have urged govt to re-notify the wetland area based on the recent survey.
The Unity Mall conflict has become a significant example in Goa of community resistance to large public infrastructure projects, highlighting concerns around land use planning, environmental risk in low-lying areas, transparency in approvals, and the role of local self-governments.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Demand to cancel the project
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Residents are seeking strict enforcement of land-use and wetland protection norms, meaningful consultation with the village community, and assurances that low-lying and ecologically sensitive land will not be used for commercial use.
Region Classification
Urban and Rural
Type of Land
Common
Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Project stalled due to protests
Original Project Deadline
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Yes
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Water bodies, Agricultural land
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Yes
Source/Reference
"Resolutions were taken against the Unity Mall in three gram sabhas. When the fourth gram sabha was held, the panchayat decided not to give approvals for the Unity Mall," Sarpanch Sandesh Shirodkar told the Times of India. <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/panchayat-says-no-to-unity-mall/articleshow/124612968.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com>
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
160
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
2025
Has the Conflict Ended?
Yes
When did it end?
February 2026
Why did the conflict end?
The Goa government decided to relocate the proposed Unity Mall project from Chimbel, responding to sustained concerns raised by residents and activists. Officials confirmed that the project will now be shifted to another location, though the government has not yet disclosed where the mall will be constructed.
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Other, Other, Environmental Law
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
Yes
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Non-consultation with stakeholders
Violation of environmental laws
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Pending
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Yes
Name of the adjudicatory body
Principal District and Sessions Court, North Goa (PIL/revision petition)
Name(s) of the Court(s)
High Court of Bombay at Goa
Case Number
Not publicly reported
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Department of Tourism, Government of Goa; Town and Country Planning Department (TCP), Government of Goa; Deputy Director of Panchayats, Government of Goa; Block Development Office (BDO), Tiswadi; Chimbel Village Panchayat
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC)
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
No
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
No
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
What was the action taken by the police?
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
Nayantara Lakshman works at the intersection of community conservation and development. She has explored the complexities of land and resource rights across landscapes and seascapes through legal case studies, and is interested in how nature education can support more grounded and just relationships with place. She enjoys writing about her field experiences and the people and places she learns from.
