Goa Authorities Seal Luxurious 'The Cape Goa' Resort Over Fire and Safety Violations

Authorities in Goa have taken decisive action by sealing 'The Cape Goa', a luxurious cliffside restaurant and resort perched on the edge of Cabo de Rama Fort in Kuddi village, Canacona taluka, South Goa, due to extensive violations of fire safety, structural, and regulatory norms, as confirmed in an official order issued on December 15, 2025.

The establishment, renowned for its panoramic ocean views, private beach access, and high-end cottages featuring private spa tubs, was permitted by the Tourism Department solely for a single temporary private shack with limited 18x8 meter dimensions accommodating no more than 24 persons. However, it had unlawfully expanded into a comprehensive resort operation, including a full-fledged restaurant, bar counter, attached kitchen, bakery, pantry, staff mess for approximately 120 employees, basement staff rooms, around 40 tables with seating for over 120 guests, housekeeping facilities, electrical rooms, additional storage, and even a spa area.

A detailed inspection conducted on December 12, 2025, by the joint enforcement and monitoring committee, led by Chairperson Maya Pednekar, uncovered a series of alarming safety lapses that posed an imminent and grave threat to human life and property. Key issues included severe overcrowding beyond approved limits, complete absence of structural stability certificates or approved building plans, an unsafe kitchen with no secondary exits, and the hazardous open-air storage of 29 commercial LPG cylinders near exhaust blowers without designated gas banks or leak detection systems.

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Additional critical deficiencies highlighted in the sealing order encompassed obstructed movement routes with cooking ranges placed in pathways, lack of fire extinguishers and firefighting equipment in vital areas such as the restaurant seating, kitchen, pantry, storerooms, and bakery, exposed and loose electrical wiring with an unsecured MCB distribution board, and the complete absence of clear signage for entries, exits, escape routes, or assembly points. The single narrow and steep staircase serving as the primary access further exacerbated evacuation risks in emergencies.

This enforcement measure represents the first sealing in South Goa and the initial targeting of a hotel-resort amid a statewide crackdown triggered by the devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, on December 6, 2025, which claimed 25 lives due to a cylinder explosion, inadequate safety measures, and structural violations. The incident has prompted Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to mandate comprehensive fire safety audits across all tourism venues, leading to prior closures of establishments like Goya Club and Cafe CO2 in North Goa, with operations at 'The Cape Goa' to remain suspended until full compliance and clearances are achieved.

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