It’s no party for residents troubled by ‘excessively loud late night parties’

he tourism season has kick started and with it the complaints have also started pouring in about the alleged noise pollution on the coastal belt of Pernem late at night.  

For the people residing in Morjim, Ashwem and Mandrem, this is one of the most important issues in these residential areas, which also houses pubs, restaurants and hotels.  The complaints allege that these late night parties, which have loud music, go on till early morning. 

Sources claimed that the actual time limit to play loud music is till 10pm only if the organizers concerned avail permission of the Deputy Collector three days prior to the event. These permissions also have some terms and conditions with regards to how loud the music can be played at. However, locals point out that the level at which music is played, grossly exceeds the permissible limits. 

As per the instructions given, the police are supposed to inspect the venue and submit the report to the DySP and based on that report, the deputy collector issues permission.  

However, again, locals lament that not everybody follows the rules or take permissions and that police do not have any mechanism such as meters to check the decimal levels. 

Further, they refer to the Environment Protection Act (EPA) wherein no loud music is can be allowed to play in areas within 100 metres of – hospitals, educational institution, courts, religious places, wildlife sanctuaries, reserve forests, turtle nesting sites, Heritage/Archeological sites of State/National/ International importance and all areas, which fall in the silence zone as identified by the Road Transport Authority, Department of Transport and Government of Goa. 

In this regard, the beach stretch from Morjim to Ashwem has been declared as a turtle nesting zone and locals allege that the events that play loud music are in violation of the EPA, which invokes stringent action against the organisers and others involved. 

Locals vent their ire on the authorities, especially the police for turning a blind eye to their repeated pleas. 

“Pernem coastal belt is very well known for loud music parties and this is the reason, people from all over come here. They only want to enjoy the beaches, the fresh air and the late night parties. Though there is a time limit up to 10pm, this is not followed and it causes inconvenience to surrounding residents”, said local resident Pritesh Naik. 

It is to be noted that locals have not just been raising this issue this year but for many years now.  While senior citizens are annoyed about how it disturbs their sleep, which in turn leads to health related problems; the student community is irate as it doesn’t allow them to prepare for their exams or complete their homework due to the loud music.  

Speaking to Herald, Pernem Police Inspector said, “When we receive complaints, the police team goes to the spot and stops the music. However we are not authorised to book them for violating the norms. We can only stop the music. This authority is with the Deputy Collector concerned and higher police officials”.

Sources revealed that the police have started receiving complaints every alternate night.

Advocate Prasad Shahapurkar, who is also a member of the Noise Pollution Committee, criticised the Pernem police. 

“Police are not willing to take on any parties that go on all night and as per section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, police have been given clear indication to act. They have to stop the music, call the officials and file the case but what they do is they stop the music and return back. After they leave the music continues. They do not take any action. Numbers of complaints have been made at Pernem Police Station but none have been registered and taken action on,” said Shahapurkar.

He added that they receive calls at 2 am and 3 am from locals and they feel sad for them.  The advocate reiterated that the law is powerful but that the police lack the will to implement the same. 

“The police are supposed to keep a separate register to maintain complaints with regard to the noise pollution and the Deputy Collector has to act on these complaints,” he added, while lamenting that despite such complaints, the authorities give permission and allow these places to play loud music late at night. 

Reacting to this, Deputy Collector, Chandrakant Shetkar said,” The time limit is 10 pm and permission is given until 10pm and up to 55 decimals. Now a new app will be launched on December 9 where citizens can lodge their complaint with regards to noise pollution and after this is launched, the police and other authorities concerned will be in better position to take action”.