ASMITA POLJI
asmita@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Noise pollution in North Goa’s coastal belt appears to be a never-ending issue as high decibel parties continue to haunt the locals residing in the coastal belt, especially those living in the Anjuna belt.
The Goa DGP directive for all police stations to act on complaints quickly and carry out immediate inspections based on local complaints and reports of noise monitoring committees.
As per the rules, any function or party where loud music is played should end by 10 pm; however, the locals complain that the organizers of such parties openly flout these rules with complete freedom and continue playing ear-deafening music till early mornings the next day with the sound crossing even 89 decibels.
However, the locals are made to suffer as they claimed that despite complaints, the police have turned a blind eye to these parties.
Noted nightclubs and restaurants located in Anjuna and Vagator are involved in playing loud music beyond the permissible limit. These are the ones located in South Anjuna and at Ozrant near the Anjuna Police Station, the locals said.
They further claimed that the music can be heard kilometers away however, the police, who are supposed to curb noise pollution, support such parties by not initiating any action.
The locals further claimed that when they complain to the police with regards to noise pollution, the cops say that no such parties or noise pollution are reported.
Desmond Alvares, a resident of Assagao, who is a former member of the Noise Pollution Monitoring Committee said, “I stay in Assagao but still I hear the loud music played by clubs located almost 4 km away and despite oral and written complaints, no action has been initiated by the police. Loud music parties are organized during weekends and continue till early morning the next day but despite informing the police, they prefer to remain mute.”
