AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
VAGATOR: Fed up with the relenless sound pollution close to their homes, locals from Anjuna and Vagator have threatened to take out a candlelight march outside the venue of Circus X Namas’ Cray if the Supreme Court guidelines are not followed on the party dates (December 28-31) announced on social media.
“We've received an application for permission to play, and this has been sent to the police for their comments and observations. It’s only after their feedback is received will a call be taken,” said Kabir Shirgaonkar, Deputy Collector of North Goa.
“Only on December 31, the timing has been extended by the government till midnight,” he added.
"No permission will be granted to anyone to play beyond 10 pm, provided all conditions are adhered to,” said Shirgaonkar.
However, Javish Moniz, who has been at the forefront of the fight against the noise demon in the village pointed out that the party organisers first advertised that their events would start from 8 pm and carry on till the morning. “They now appear to think they can take matters lightly by removing the names of the DJs and the timings. But that won’t fool us. They first advertised that one of the parties would be held at Echo, which was later changed to Vamos by Echo without any other details,” he added.
“I have emailed the Goa State Pollution Control Board requesting them not to give them any permission as the place is less than three metres from my residence. I am unable to sleep because of the noise created by Vamos, and now this nuisance,” exclaimed an exasperated Rita Ali who was part of the meeting where it was decided to hold the candlelight protest if the Supreme Court order is flouted.
“This is to bring to your attention that an event is being organised at Vamos on survey no 206/1 just 3 meters outside my residence. I request you not to grant any permission to play music as my residence vibrates and we are unable to sleep all night,” read the email sent by Rita to the secretary of GSPCB and SDM , Mapusa and acessed by OHeraldo.
“We have been tolerant towards clubs running with restaurant and bar licence when the noise is not deafening but, having a high-voltage programme in a residential area is not acceptable. They can easily go somewhere else,” admits Janet Moraes.
“Having a four-day musical festival right next to residential areas is a bit too much. Most of these places have started playing loud music after 1 am, but we have been tolerant. They should not think they can grab our hand when we have offered them our finger,”said restauranteur and homestay owner Antonio Moraes.
“A few locals have been targeting us because of our crusade against noise. However, they fail to realise that business has slumped because there are no tourists all over Goa, and not just Vagator or Anjuna,” reasons Moraes.
“If they think that they can start with their noise just because we appear to be silent, they are mistaken. Our tolerance cannot be taken for granted and they will know that on December 28,” warns Janie Crasto, who has a differently abled 10-year-old at home.
“The organisers, of the four day event think they can fool us by serving old wine in a new bottle. Many people have lost their lives because they could not take the loud noise. Thanks to the High Court, we have reached somewhere and we will not give up now,” promised Roysal D’souza after the meeting.