ANJUNA: Day after the historic High Court order to strictly enforce the complete ban on parties at outdoor venues, residents of Anjuna felt that noise volumes had gone down but the parties had not completely stopped. It’s been 22 years since the Noise Pollution Act came in effect in Goa, but it’s the first time that there is hope that it will be implemented properly.
The order has been received with mixed feelings, though there is a sense of happiness. Arpora resident Darshan Bhatia, who is an anti-noise pollution activist, who has even gone to court, on this issue said, “It’s a great step in the right direction. However, the problem is that the authorities do not enforce the law. We will have to see if this direction from the High Court will change the way the police and other authorities act. Will they enforce it? Or will it become a reason for higher levels of corruption? Unless examples are made (against noise offenders and against police officials who do not enforce the law), things will not change so easily.”
Bhatia said, “At the end of the day, it is not about indoor or outdoor parties, it is about ensuring that the specified sound levels (in decibels) are complied with (day or night).”
People from Siolim and Morjim had a peaceful night on Wednesday, but some things didn’t change. In Calangute and Candolim the noise created by traffic movement throughout the night continued to haunt them.
In the party zone of Arpora, there was no big event scheduled, but people here expressed their worry about the next event that is scheduled for next week.
“It was slow only Wednesday night but before that this, one place had put up loud music and when we complained the cops came and the volume was lowered,” Morgan Fernandes from Anjuna said.
“I feel Goa Government does not value the orders of the High Court because implementation is required which is not happening. Loud music parties are happening, but the calls go unattended. If the Goa government had valued the earlier orders of HC then this issue would have been curbed long back,” Ravi Harmalkar, a resident of Anjuna.
Morgan Fernandes from Anjuna said, “There should be strict action against those who violate this law. Though loud music is a trend and even small restaurants and small food carts started playing loud music, it’s only a way to capture the attention of the people but they are also forgetting it that they are violating the law and creating noise pollution. As per the law music can be allowed until 10 pm but under the limit & played at decibels. The government should keep this in check every time & should not take it lightly and if necessary they must take strict action.”
“I do believe that the HC has taken cognisance and has got a gist of the illegal parties going on every single night till early morning, but what about the parties before 10 pm? Where is the 55 decibels maintained? What these party places use is 30 to 40 k watts loudspeakers and major events at Ozrant use speakers that belt out 1.2 lakh watts, which can be heard loud and clear in Mapusa almost 8 kms away. Most events are in front of the Anjuna Police Station, yet the police report no noise,” Desmond Alvares, a resident of Assagao said.
Goa Police will comply with HC orders on night parties: IGP
PANJIM: Goa Police will strictly comply with the High Court order in letter and spirit as regards night parties in the coastal belt, said Inspector General of Police(IGP) Omvir Singh Bishnoi.
IGP Bishnoi informed that DGP Jaspal Singh had convened a special meeting on Wednesday to sensitise officials with regards to the EDM and other parties, which will be held during the peak period of festive season in the State.
“Specific officers have been assigned specific tasks in this regard,” IGP Bishnoi said.
It may be recalled that the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday directed the government authorities to take steps not to allow playing of loud music beyond 10 pm during year-end parties and asked both Superintendent of Police (SPs) to file Action Taken Report (ATR) regarding the same.
