PANJIM: The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and the Goa Police have a lot to answer for the inaction and “for passing the buck” as far as action against the noise pollution rule violations at Sunburn Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festival is concerned.
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has observed that even after repeated breaches and violations of the orders, the GSPCB or the Anjuna Police are not accepting the blame for preventing such breaches and failing to take stern action against the violations.
The inspection report annexed to the GSPCB affidavit furnishes the monitoring data for three days of the Sunburn festival. This data indicates the noise levels generated by the
EDM held by Sunburn near the main stage (inside the venue), near the main entrance along the periphery, and in the residential areas at some distance were above the 55db (A) limit set out in the permission. The affidavit stated that the court observed that the noise levels exceeded 65db (A), and on most occasions, the noise levels were in the range of 70 to 90db (A).
The Court while making yet another serious observation said, “At least, prima facie, this appears to be a case of deliberate inaction or the lack of will to enforce the law.”
The attempts of the GSPCB and Police to pass the buck on each other and failing to take action have been exposed by means of their own acts. The Court has ordered the Chief Secretary, GSPCB, and the Police to file reply affidavits to the Court before January 19.
