VIBHA VERMA
Even though Goa is recognized as an international destination and has been hosting several high profile events, particularly during the peak season, unfortunately it still does not have its own legislation to control sound pollution. The issue has been debated on the floor of the House as well as outside the Goa Legislative Assembly but successive governments has failed to address the issue till date.
In the wake of several complaints of noise pollution in the coastal belt, local politicians have voiced their concern over hardships faced by the residents particularly school and college going children.
Siolim MLA and Former Cabinet Minister Vinod Palyekar is amongst those demanding an independent Act, claiming that the current Act is isn’t strong enough to penalise the culprits. “Goa follows the Madhya Pradesh Sound Pollution Act but that Act is not applicable to a small state like Goa. As per this Act, there is certain permissible limit of playing music and decibels to be used but it is violated in Goa. Despite complaints to police, no action is taken by the police and the authorities. Music is being played till the week hours although the time line is 10 pm,” he said.
In April 2017, Palyekar, while holding the cabinet status, had made a statement that the government had begun the process to enact its own Sound Pollution Act. At that time, he had taken up the matter with the then Chief Minister (late) Manohar Parrikar pointing out that MP Act, which is currently being followed, is not good enough.
Former Siolim MLA Dayanand Mandrekar on the other hand has demanded relaxation in sound rules for parties beyond 10pm in a bid to attract more tourists to the coastal State.
In the recent direction by the High Court of Bombay at Goa, the Goa Info Tech Corporation has been asked to develop a mobile app to enable people to easily register noise pollution complaints.
While the government in June this year had assured the court that the app would be in force within 45 days, no development is known to the public at large.
