AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
Despite stepped-up action by the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) following the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court’s July 23, 2025 order in Contempt Petition No 12 of 2023 (in PIL No 7 of 2021), residents say that while noise levels have dipped, restful nights remain elusive. Many believe the onus is now on the Home Department to ensure strict enforcement. In a letter to the Directo rate of Vigilance, accessed by O Heraldo, the GSPCB stated that closure directions were issued to 22 establish ments in September 2025 for violating conditions of their consent orders. The Board also recovered Rs 17 lakh from 17 establishment owners as environmental compensation. The letter further noted that three units challenged the closure directions be fore the Appellate Authori ty — Administrative Tribu nal — and secured a stay on the orders. “In January 2026, GSPCB issued show-cause notic es to 20 establishments for continued violations. Subsequently, in February 2026, closure directions were issued to four chron ic offenders. Additionally, 24 establishments were directed to pay environ mental compensation,” the letter added.
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For residents of Anjuna and Vagator — especially the el derly, students, and those with medical conditions — the situation has improved, but remains far from satisfactory. “The noise is more bearable than before, but authori ties can do much more to implement the High Court order. When my son wakes up with seizures, he can go back to sleep only if it is quiet. He struggles because noise from nearby clubs can be heard even in our kitchen,” said Janie Crasto from Vagator, who has been campaigning against noise pollution due to its impact on her autistic child. Crasto also pointed to inconsistencies in enforcement. “I called 112 yesterday afternoon and again late at night because the music was loud. The noise levels reduced after my calls, but I wonder why I should have to make such calls when the High Court order is quite explicit,” she said. According to the GSPCB, “The Noise Monitoring Cell is tracking real-time data round the clock from online noise monitoring stations installed at 38 establishments across Goa. Hourly exceedances, if any, are communicated via SMS, phone calls, and emails to the jurisdictional Deputy Collector and police for necessary action.” However, O Heraldo has observed instances where com plaints led to immediate action, as well as occasions when no response was forthcoming. Residents along the coastal belt, still shaken by the re cent death of a youngster following a drug overdose at a party, say that while conditions have improved, much more needs to be done. “Things would have been far better if the Deputy Col lector and police implemented the rules strictly. The High Court order clearly places responsibility on them,” said Stella D’Souza, a student from Vagator. Maxcy D’Souza from Ozran said, “The Deputy Collector could easily deny permission to establishments flagged by the GSPCB. If permissions were refused a few times, all es tablishments would fall in line.” The government’s decision to extend permission for playing music from 10 pm to midnight has drawn a muted response from residents. In 2022, amplified music was per mitted for 17 days annually; this was reduced to 15 days from 2023 and continues, with only the dates being revised each year. “It is acceptable if timings are extended occasionally. But the government seems to ignore that there is noise almost every day in some part of the village. More people is fine if safety protocols are followed. From the current situation, it does not appear that lessons have been learned from the Birch Romeo Lane tragedy,” said Pradeep Harmalkar from Anjuna. Reflecting on the broader issue, Antonio D’Souza of the Calangute Noise Monitoring Committee said, “In the court room battle against noise pollution, the petitioner and ami cus curiae emerged with a sense of justice. But during the restless nights in Anjuna and Baga, residents have watched their peace flicker and fade — like candles extinguished by the reckless winds of booming nightlife.”
