The report of the Magisterial inquiry committee, which probed the horrific Birch nightclub fire at Arpora that claimed 25 lives, has laid bare serious procedural failures—particularly highlighting the role of the Arpora panchayat and multiple government departments. This comes as no surprise, and the role of various authorities failing to do their job was clearly visible right from day one. Now that the report is submitted, it is to be seen how the government will proceed to give justice to the families of those innocent lives and what protocols it will follow so that such tragedies are not repeated in Goa’s bustling nightlife.
The inquiry findings reveal that approvals and licenses, including trade and repair licenses, water and power NOCs, and health certificates, were issued without proper site verification, inspections, or adherence to statutory norms. The report puts the spotlight on the panchayat for laying the foundation stone for a chain of illegal processes, with various departments relying on the local body’s clearances. The report also holds departments—Revenue, Town and Country Planning, Health, and Fire Services accountable, as each department failed at various levels, and has recommended disciplinary and possibly criminal proceedings against officials. The question is what’s next? We ask this question for a reason, because past experiences indicate that the government has failed to take timely action on sensitive reports.
Take the case of the ghastly Shirgao stampede, which claimed six lives in the early hours of May 3. The inquiry committee promptly submitted its report ten days later, pointing to systemic failures. It blamed the temple committee, Dhonds, district administration, and police for poor crowd control, lack of planning, and ignoring safety protocols. In a detailed report, the fault-lines were clearly identified, and suggestions given. Seven months later, apart from a few transfers, no action has been taken against those responsible. Accountability seems to have stopped at the doorstep of the report.
The question then is: will the Birch fire report go the Shirgao way? Are these moves to initiate inquiries only meant to buy time so that public fury is doused? There is a huge question mark over intent, because even 20 days after the blaze, illegal clubs have continued to do business; those served notices continue to flourish; fire safety has been flagrantly violated, everything moved on while those families who lost their near and dear ones continue to live lives of torment with deep scars of those incidents.
If the government is genuinely and sincerely interested in cleaning up the mess created by coastal nightlife, the report could be a basis on which it can begin action. Moreover, this report would be a crucial test for the authorities and will determine whether the government is willing to course-correct the faults of departments and persons of authority. Will licensing procedures be streamlined and tightened? Or will bureaucratic inertia and political pulls prevail? Will business interests, tourism, and economics prevail over the safety of life?
The Birch fire inquiry report is a crucial document that exposes the deep-rooted flaws in Goa’s safety protocols. Heads must roll, most certainly. Criminal proceedings must be initiated. Transfer of officials is like giving a safe exit to those directly responsible. The people of Goa, tourists, and stakeholders deserve better, not just reports that gather dust in the corridors of power. While tourism will move on with time, these tragedies will remain as blots on Goa’s canvas, and those refusing to act on findings will have blood on their hands for giving that cushion to the guilty.
