AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
VAGATOR: Despite directions from the Bombay High Court at Goa to operate without playing music, the three units – Thalassa in Vaddy, Siolim; Diaz Pool Club and Bar, Anjuna and Noah in Vagator – violated the order by continuing to operate with music being the main attraction on their menu.
The other units on the belt made hay, whilst the sun shined with music being played at some places till dawn with the decibel readings at most places averaging around 75dB.
All 3 units were granted ‘concession’ by the HC because they “employ a large number of staff and workers,” playing music that averaged over 60 dB till around 10 pm.
The Supreme Court has permitted 55 decibels in residential areas till 10 pm.
Past 10 pm, the decibel levels increased and the party mood set in, as customers were not keen on having a look at the menu card . The rest of the units, the decibel levels crossed 90.
“I had to pay Rs 5,000 to enter a place and, once in, was charged Rs 1,200 for a beer. That’s a rip –off in the name of Goa,” stated Karl from Germany , a regular to the belt, as he sipped his beer in a local bar as vehicles zoomed by.
“Considering the noise that we had endured in the past, I am thankful to the High Court for the relief now. All clubs are playing beyond stipulated noise levels, but it is bearable. Our windows and pots have stopped vibrating and the elderly are able to sleep,” says Rita Ali, who was moving around checking the noise levels on her scooty .
From amongst the units, the highest decibel levels were recorded at Dynamo and Hill Top at Ozran-Vagator and Purple Martini in Anjuna close to midnight. Vagator resident Desmond D’Souza registered two complaints through police number 112. Upon registration, he received the following message: “Dear user, your request to 112 is registered with ID GA20241221000131 for services(Police Services) and is dispatched.”
D’Souza alleged, “Despite the message, the music continued past midnight. Hill Top started on Friday evening and stopped early Saturday morning. They stopped their Saturday party today (Sunday ) morning.”
“Most units could be heard playing loud music when I went out to monitor from 2 am. I have filed a complaint against all the places that violated the Supreme Court order and have received police confirmation with regard to the same,” stated Alvares, petitioner of Contempt Petition 12 of 2023.
Zorah near Thalassa in Vaddy-Siolim , Dynamo, Titlie, Raeeth, Vamos , Romeo Lane and Hill Top were some of the units where the decibel levels crossed the 100 dB mark as the clock inched towards midnight.
No music could be heard from Hotel W against whom the police had registered an FIR, but residents complained of the noise created by the fireworks that they set on the beach at night.
“My pets go crazy when they start the fireworks. They just start scurrying around the house whining with the fireworks. Despite being kilometres away, theirs was the only loud sound that could be heard before the FIR was registered,” claimed Janet Moraes from Vagator.