The Goa government informed the High Court on Thursday that it has deployed three police teams to tackle noise pollution in the Anjuna- Vagator area. These teams will patrol from 10 PM to 5 AM, rotating their duties to monitor and take action against restaurants and clubs violating noise regulations by playing loud music. This move follows the formation of the teams on October 23. The government assured the court that the teams would also address complaints received from the Pollution Control Board. Also it was informed that if action not taken by Anjuna PS team within 30 minutes then complaint will be forwarded to SDPO.The next hearing is scheduled for Friday, August 30.
Key Points
Court Criticism: The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court, while hearing a petition filed by Sagardeep Shirasaikar, reprimanded the government for allowing loud music to continue past 10 PM. The court questioned the delay in taking action against violators.
Government Response: In response, the government stated that three police teams, led by Mapusa sub-divisional police officer, have been constituted to patrol the Anjuna area. Each team includes one police sub-inspector and two police constables, equipped with meters to measure noise levels.
Patrolling Details:The teams will operate from 10 PM to 5 AM, targeting establishments that violate noise pollution regulations. The police officers assigned to these teams are from outside the Anjuna area to ensure impartial enforcement.
Public Protests: Disturbed by the illegal loud music playing after 10 pm in various restaurants and clubs in Anjuna - Vagator area, the citizens protested for four nights between August 15 and August 18. Along with social workers, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party office bearers and people's representatives also participated in this candlelight protest by locals. The government has been criticized from all sides for not taking any action on the many complaints filed by the citizens regarding this problem that has been going on for many years.
Has this government become insensitive? Why did the local MLAs not take action despite the promise of action? Has the government gone deaf?
Many such questions were asked by the protesters at this time. Every night they went to the police station and laid a lie. The protestors were determined to continue their agitation until proper action is taken against this noise pollution
Contact Information for Complaints: The government has released contact numbers for the public to report noise pollution:
- Police Inspector Anjuna:- 7875746027
- Anjuna Police Station- 0832 2273233
- Sub Inspector Aditya Gawkar:- 7030949453
- Sub Inspector Ramesh Harijan:- 7030949331
Police Squads Details:
- Squad 1 - Sub-Inspector Ramchandra Satelkar, Constable Praveen Patil, Constable Sarvesh Kalangutkar (Colwa Police Station)
- Squad 2:- Sub-Inspector Datta Prasad Pandit, Constable Prasad Chandelkar, Constable Amrit Shirodkar (Mhapsa Police Thane)
- Squad 3:- Sub-Inspector Ramesh Harijan, Constable Rupesh Azgaonkar, Constable Aviraj Mandrekar (Hanjun Police Thane)