Enough is enough, says HC: Stop big ticket events if noise violations noticed

Directs authorities to halt event and seize equipment and prosecute if noise levels are breached at the two programmes in Anjuna, viz India Bike Week and TVS Motor Soul; tells GSPCB, police and Sub-Divisional Magistrate to attend the two major events happening in Ozrant, Anjuna, to ensure decibel levels are not breached

Team Herald

PANJIM: In an important development High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), police and the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) to attend the two major events happening in Ozrant, Anjuna to ensure decibel levels are not breached.

The HC has given a clear direction to halt the event, seize the equipment and launch prosecution if there is any violation of rules. 

The petitioners in the Noise Pollution Writ Petitions and PILs brought before the HC that the violations of noise rules had continued rampantly. Pointing out an event that happened last week in Ozrant, where yet again noise rules were violated but no action was taken by the authorities. 

The HC also heard the GSPCB on the measures that they intend to take to avoid violations. In this, the Board submitted, “Officials from GSPCB, Police Inspector from Anjuna Police Station and the concerned Deputy Collector (SDM) will ascertain whether any permissions have been obtained to hold the events on December 8 and 9. If no permissions are obtained, the events won’t be permitted.” 

Moving further, the GSPCB submitted, “If permissions are obtained, then officials from GSPCB, the Police officials and the SDM must attend these events and monitor the issue of noise pollution. If they find that any of the conditions of the permissions including the conditions relating to decibel levels are breached, then they should immediately halt the event, seize the equipment, and take further action including launching of prosecution, etc.”

The Board also said, “If Mr Alvares (Desmond Alvares, Petitioner, contempt petition no12 of 2023 in Public Interest Litigation WP NO.7 OF 2021) wishes to remain present along with these officials, he should be permitted to remain present. Full security should be provided to Mr Alvares.”

The HC while posting the matter on December 12 has ordered the GSPCB, the SDM and the Police Inspector of Anjuna Police Station to file a report before the Court about the events of December 8 and 9.

Opinion 

CM won't allow his Goans to suffer due to EDM and other festivals 

CM Pramod Sawant has to and will ensure that all the events are held strictly in compliance of court orders. He has the mandate and the responsibility to also ensure that the comfort and convenience of local Goans are above any festival which inconveniences local lives.

NO PERMISSIONS for Bike Week, Motor Souls and Sunburn: Pollution Board

The GSPCB has submitted before the High Court that as of now no permissions have been issued or no reports have been made by the GSPCB so far as the India Bike Week and TVS Motor Soul events happening on December 8-9 and Sunburn happening on 28th, 29th and 30th December are concerned.

Surprisingly two of these events are starting on Friday i.e. today. The GSPCB has also submitted that if no permissions are issued they won't allow the events to be held. Sources have informed that the events don't even have the NOCs from the Tourism Department and CRZ authorities posing a big question mark on these major events.