PORVORIM: Justices M S Karnik and Valmiki Menezes of the Bombay High Court made it clear that real-time noise monitoring systems should be in place in Goa, inorder to eradicate the blatant and obvious violations of all directions issued to establishments and institutions to curb the deafening sound pollution emanating from blaring music across North Goa.
The bench further directed that permission of places that have no necessary licence to operate should be revoked.
“Let us start tabulating how many establishments in Anjuna have licence to operate. Let us go place by place and once we have the data, we will be in a better position,” said Justice Valmiki Menezes, who was sitting along with Justice Karnik.
“Check which places are running with licences in Anjuna as a test case,” elaborated Justice Karnik.
“It has been detailed in previous orders that real-time noise monitoring systems must be mandatorily installed where music is being played and the GSPCB must see that the equipment is operational in all places,” suggested Justice Menezes.
“As per the notification of the GSPCB, the applicant is directed to install the online Noise level Monitoring System and a display board along the periphery of the compound,” was a Right To Information (RTI) response presented during the hearing.
“Once the sound is monitored on real-time basis, there will be no chances of escaping the law,” added Justice Menezes.
Petitioner Desmond Alvares presented another RTI, where it stated, “As per information and application submitted, it may be noted that the installation of instruments/equipment was not observed to be done for the said event at the time of inspection.”
“It may be noted that the unit does not have an online noise monitoring system and digital display boards have not been installed on the periphery wall,” concluded the RTI exhibit presented to the Bench.
“I am really surprised. There has to be real-time noise pollution monitoring systems in place,” observed Justice Menezes, after hearing the claims and counterclaims of the petitioners and respondents.
“I was not surprised with the GSPCB submission that there is no noise after 10 pm, because they are part of the problem along with the police. Though the judges have asked them (GSPCB) to include me in the surprise raid team, the outcome will be minimal because, as in the past, the law breakers are tipped by the police of an eminent raid,” stated Alvares.
“Please collate details of establishments that have licences to operate in Anjuna and those that are operating without. Once we have these details, we can start getting details of other places,” Justice Menezes instructed Advocate General Devidas Pangam.
“We knew that the High Court was our only hope because everyone from top to the bottom in the government is involved in this racket of drugs and prostitution that starts with loud music. If they stop loud music, everything else stops,” stated an exalted Antonio Moraes from Vagator after the hearing.
The next hearing is scheduled for July 22.
Direction passed after petitioner relied on O Heraldo’s reports on noise pollution in Court
Asks Pollution Control Board to take petitioner Alvares on its raids after the latter produced O Heraldo report of June 30, to counter GSPCB’s claim that no sound pollution violations were detected
PORVORIM: The High Court has also taken cognisance of doubts over the Goa State Pollution Control Board's (GSPCB) claims that noise pollution has not been detected during their raids. It has directed that GSPCB)enlist the services of petitioner Desmond Alvares when conducting surprise raids, during the hearing of contempt petition 12/2023 and three others clubbed together on Thursday.
“GSPCB has conducted surprise raids and the report mentions that there is no noise pollution taking place,” submitted the advocate for GSPCB at the start of the case.
As the GSPCB counsel finished telling the Judges of the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court that surprise checks proved that there was no noise pollution in Anjuna and Vagator, petitioner Alvares provided the Justices with copies of O Heraldo dated June 30, 2024, headlined: ‘Anjuna cops treat HC instructions on noise pollution like outside noise’.
“I have proof that noise pollution is rampant and that there are going to be parties even tonight after 10 pm,” stated petitioner Alvares, whilst presenting copies of O Heraldo and videos documented by him as proof.
“There has to be a system in place. This cannot go on,” said Justice Karnik as he perused the matter presented to him. “Are you ready to join the inspection team?” Justice Karnik asked Alvares, before informing GSPCB that the latter be included in the surprise raiding team.