AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
VAGATOR: After putting up with persistent noise pollution in defiance of Supreme Court orders, residents of Vagator, Anjuna, and nearby areas found themselves facing another concern during the peak of India-Pakistan tensions: the use of high-powered light beams by nightclubs, which they feared could compromise security.
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“Those high beams were a clear invitation to the enemy (Pakistan) and made a mockery of the security systems the Ministry of Home Affairs wanted to put in place,” said Rajesh Sinary, a concerned citizen
from Anjuna.
“Even the BCCI called off the IPL which involves crores of rupees taking into account the safety of the people and here, they allowed all the clubs to play loud music in the open and to beam these lights from dusk to dawn,”
added Sinary.
Café O2 by Levels, one of the 175 units sealed by the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court, Sea Lounge by Curlies, ordered to be demolished by the Supreme Court and Shiva Valley in South Anjuna reportedly used sky-facing beams through the night on a full moon Saturday, with music levels soaring above 100dB.
Many locals began to question the seriousness of government-led mock drills intended to demonstrate preparedness during national security threats. “The government, very strangely, kept places visited by a majority of tourists out of the ambit of the mock drill in Goa when Pakistan attacked the part of Kashmir visited by tourists,” noted Ivan Fernandes, an amused octogenarian.
Fernandes pointed out the paradox between daytime surveillance and night-time neglect. “We heard the sound of helicopters hovering around during the day but after sunset, the usual mayhem continued with no one bothered about the bright lights, the beams focusing in the sky and the loud music that went on till morning,” he said.
The light beams, visible from as far as Bambolim, coupled with the relentless noise, stirred anxiety among residents. “We are fighting against the menace of noise pollution and when there was escalation of tensions with Pakistan, I thought we would have some respite from loud music but, no,” said Janie Crasto from Vagator.
Crasto acknowledged a marginal improvement in noise control following the High Court’s intervention but pointed to persistent violations. “Matters have improved on the noise front after the intervention of the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court. But, we have rogue elements that connive with the authorities and flout rules set by the Supreme Court,” she alleged.
When approached during this period of tension, officers at the Anjuna police station appeared dismissive of concerns about the beams posing a potential risk. “The Police Inspector has gone home and if you think there is a problem, please get in touch with him tomorrow,” said a constable manning the station late Saturday night.
However, when newly appointed North Goa SP Raul Gupta was sent photographs of the beams the following day, he responded promptly: “Thanks for letting me know. This should not be happening. I will make sure it stops.”
With the Indo-Pak ceasefire now holding and tensions eased, the threat posed by such lighting has diminished. Yet, residents continue to call for enforcement of existing laws on noise and light pollution, urging authorities to act before the next crisis tests the state’s preparedness.
