AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
VAGATOR: Four of the five units directed by the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court to use live sound monitoring systems, played music beyond the permissible limits on Saturday, and could be heard playing the loudest, till early morning.
This reporter was on the ground late into the night on Saturday documenting music specifically emanating from these places on a decibel app.
In addition, ‘Curlies’ which has been ordered to be demolished was seen and heard playing music at full blast. Of the five, four units- Noah, in Vagator, Diaz in Anjuna, House of Chapora in Chapora and Thalassa in Vaddy Siolim - did not appear to be hindered by the High Court directions with all places playing way above decibel limit prescribed in the Consent to Operate under Section 25/26 of the (Water Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act 1974 of Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB).
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had in its order dated 01-08-2024 rejected the review application seeking review of the judgment and order dated 31-05-2024, ordering the demolition of the structure on Survey No. 42/10.
“I will send the team to check Curlies and if they are playing music, they will be stopped,” assured Anjuna PSI Aditya Naik Gaonkar. Loud music could be heard playing in Survey No. 42/10 till two in the morning.
“It is shocking that Curlies is being allowed to play music when the place is supposed to be demolished. The law looks like an ass for these guys. How can the police allow a place that should not be standing, to have parties,” questioned Desmond D’Souza.
The evening started slowly with not much traffic on the road, however, traffic intensified after ten pm - the time most clubs slowly started raising their volumes and stirring the emotions of residents who were preparing for undisturbed sleep.
Raeeth, a unit that was found playing loud music, by South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes when he formed part of the candlelight vigil organised by the villagers from August 14, 2024 and sealed thereafter, was open and playing music on Saturday. They played low music till midnight, and by one in the morning, loud music could be heard.
“The owners of Raeeth came to the police station the other day and handed over a copy of Consent to Operate from the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), a few days back,” disclosed Anjuna PSI Naik Gaonkar.
“They (Raeeth) have no permission to play music (without taking noise monitoring measures) but can operate their restaurant. Nevertheless, I will send my men to check,” stated PSI Naik Gaonkar.
The GSPCB letter to Raeeth dated 30/08/2024 Section (VII) states: “The unit shall take adequate measures for control of noise levels from its sources within the premises in respect of noise. The limits are as follows: Residential Area-55 dB (A) Leq day time and 45 dB(A) Leq night time.”
As the night took wore on, loud music could be heard from Salud, Romeo Lane, Thalassa in Vagator and Titlee in Vagator.
By 11 pm, the four units under test by the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court could be heard playing music well outside the prescribed limits. The dB sound outside Diaz fluctuated between 89-94 at 10.48pm; the recording at Noah fluctuated between 78-84 dB; Salud 124-134 dB; Thalassa recorded 102-112 dB; Sound at House of Chapora was recorded at 118-123 dB and Curlies was blasting at 160-197 dB.
Hill Top was not operational at all and HIFI which was the fifth unit under the High Court radar was open, but quiet.
In a note presented to the High Court, Advocate General Pangam had informed that a “Special loud music checking team had been formed to check loud music played in the jurisdiction of Anjuna Police Station beyond permissible timings.”
The note mentioned the forming of three teams, from Colvale police station, Mapusa Police Station and Anjuna Police Station and despite Justice Valmiki Menezes specifically stating that the contact numbers of the three teams be made public, the same have not been.
“There has been a huge difference since the High Court has been overseeing the menace. We are at least being able to get some sleep now. Something is better than nothing. At least the sick and the old are getting some respite,” admitted Janie Crasto one of the crusaders against noise pollution whose son is specially-abled.