Popular clubs along North Goa’s coastal belt have made a mockery of the Goa State Pollution Control Board’s action against sound pollution with those penalised brazenly advertising parties with timings extending up to 5 in the morning. Parties and high-decibel music have been synonymous in North Goa’s coastal belt and have faced a public backlash for the past few years. Publicising parties by mentioning the time duration of the parties suggests that clubs would care less for the laws of the land and the directives of authorities.
Beneath the alluring façade of the Anjuna-Vagator coast, a troubling issue looms—escalating noise pollution precipitated by restaurants and clubs that blatantly flout regulations designed to protect residents and the sanctity of their environment. Explicit directives from the GSPCB, warnings, operating license revocations, and even High Court rulings seem futile in curtailing the raucous festivities that have become a hallmark of North Goa’s nightlife. The imminent Liberation Day holiday on December 19 heralded a heightened frenzy among establishments eager to draw in party-goers, with promotional campaigns boasting late-night events stretching into the early morning hours. This defiance is not merely about entertainment; it manifests a deeper disregard for the law, as establishments persistently ignore the Noise Pollution Act’s stipulation mandating silence by 10 pm.
On the other hand, the GSPCB’s imposition of a paltry Rs 10,000 fine for violations is woefully inadequate when juxtaposed against the revenue generated from these all-night affairs. For that matter, even the proposal of upscaling the fine to Rs 30,000 may not be good enough. The financial disincentive is minimal compared to the profits garnered from attracting crowds, fostering an environment where rule-breaking is seen as a risky yet profitable gamble.
The GSPCB’s attempts at enforcement seem to have very little effect. We fail to understand how such parties were cleared in the first place, and what enforcement authorities like the police and collector/deputy collector were doing? A more effective regulatory framework is essential, incorporating swift response against such violations and authorities have to show a commitment to consistent monitoring. The posters of parties were out in the open for authorities to take cognisance, but nobody acted.
Orders on paper are meaningless if they are not implemented in letter and spirit. Authorities in Goa have this peculiar habit of passing the buck over situations which they don’t want to handle. We have experienced cases in the past where the Pollution Control Board and the police were at loggerheads when the enforcement part was being debated in the High Court. The GPSCB states that the Collector and the police are the first responders to violations and are empowered to act against clubs promoting parties beyond the stipulated hours. The question is, what stops them from acting?
The ongoing conflicts in the coastal north are emblematic of a broader global challenge: the tension between culture, commerce, and community welfare. As the rhythm of Goa’s nightlife continues unabated, there remains an urgent need for authorities to show accountability in restoring the balance. It is time for stronger action, not just orders on paper.
