Augusto Rodrigues
Porvorim: The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court was informed that 13 of 20 open-air units have installed CCTV cameras covering their noise monitoring devices, as the Court continues to monitor compliance with noise regulations.
Justice Bharati Dangre, during the hearing of Contempt Petition 12 of 2023, asked Amicus Curiae Nigel Costa Frias if he was willing to verify whether these establishments were playing amplified music in open-air areas beyond the 10pm deadline during the Court’s summer break.
The hearing began with Costa Frias informing Justices Dangre and Nivedita P Mehta that the CCTV systems were expected to be operational before the vacation, and that Xavier Retreat House in Baga had filed an intervening application in Writ Petition PIL 7 of 2021.
Justice Dangre noted that an affidavit filed by the counsel for the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) listed the open-air units with CCTV installations and noise monitoring systems. The Supreme Court mandates that open-air music must stop after 10pm, and the Amicus Curiae has been pushing for the use of CCTV recordings to identify violators.
In an affidavit submitted to the court, Additional District Magistrate Mahadev Araundekar said the GSPCB informed him that only 20 of 36 units playing amplified music in open-air settings had installed electronic signboards displaying sound decibel levels.
Araundekar said he had directed GSPCB representatives and Deputy Collectors to include CCTV installation as a mandatory condition when issuing permissions. Establishments, including beach shacks under the Tourism Department, were also instructed to maintain a 30-day backup of CCTV footage and make it available to GSPCB and the police on demand.
“Please issue directions to everybody that has not installed CCTV and noise monitoring systems to fall in line, as this will help ascertain the factual position,” Justice Dangre said.
The GSPCB inspection report, based on visits to 20 units between April 9 and 11, noted that no assessment could be made for House of Chapora, which was shut during all three inspections.
According to the report, the following venues did not have CCTV cameras covering their noise meters: Shiva Valley, Hill Top, W Goa, Dynamo, Diaz, Titlee, Nine Bar, Purple Martini 1, Purple Martini 2, Howling Wolves, Gypsea, and Mayan Beach Club.
The report also stated that Slique had shut down, while no comments were made regarding the CCTV setup at Gypsea, although its noise meter and decibel display board were in place.
Araundekar further informed the Court that Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs) had been directed to register FIRs on complaints of noise pollution, in line with earlier Court directives.
The matter will next be heard on June 19, 2025.