The organisers of Sunburn threw a big surprise by not only announcing that they are hosting the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festival in South Goa this coming December, but have gone a step ahead by opening up plans on the booking portal “BookMyShow”. A promo released by the organisers says “Dive into a new world” while a statement posted on their micro-blogging site ‘X’ promises a surreal underwater experience “in their stunning new South Goa home”.
The announcement has been met with furious reactions from political leaders, NGOs, stakeholders, and common citizens who are opposing Sunburn in South Goa. Many questioned the reasoning of the organisers in returning after saying goodbye to Goa last year following a bitter face-off with locals.
While Sunburn has made its plans known, there has been an eerie silence from key government officials, authorities and politicians, with even the GIDC chairman claiming to be not in the know of things. Sources close to the organisers had revealed to this newspaper that a proposal was submitted to the GIDC to utilise part of the 8 lakh square metres in Quitol-Quepem, which belonged to the corporation, an area where the State had hosted the Defence Expo in 2016 during the tenure of Manohar Parrikar as Union Defence Minister.
What is rather intriguing is the confidence with which the organisers have proceeded with bookings once again. If we may recall, last December, the EDM stoked controversy because organisers sold tickets for a 4-day event that included New Year’s Eve despite vocal opposition from the coastal MLAs and people. While the tourism minister claimed that permission was not given for December 31, the organisers stood their ground till the eleventh hour, and even mocked at the system.
The roller-coaster continues this time too. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s statement that the government is yet to decide on the application is not reflective of his mind. What is even more surprising is the fact that while the GIDC chairman appears clueless, officials in his department are busy preparing data to be presented at a board meeting where the proposal is expected to be discussed.
The GIDC need to think this over. This vast expanse of land of 8.83 lakh sqmts was acquired by the State government way back in 2008 to set up an industrial estate or a food park at Quitol. Back then, former GIDC chairman Chandrakant Babu Kavlekar had announced plans of opening the area for fish processing and fruit canning industries keeping in mind the employability of local youth. Unfortunately, the corporation is now looking at hosting events and earning revenue instead of putting the land to purposeful use.
Sunburn’s journey in Goa has been fraught with controversies of various kinds. From unpaid dues, permissions, dates, venue and the impact on local businesses, the organisers have managed to withstand their ground almost every time. A common thread has been the denials, and the suspense that comes along.
While there is another twist to the story, we fail to understand how Sunburn organisers manage to have their way despite the many controversies and uncertainties and we can't comprehend how they promise a "surreal underwater experience" without getting a 'go ahead' from authorities. There is something fishy in this South Goa script.
