Goa’s coastal areas, especially the Anjuna-Vagator belt, continue to be abuzz with noise pollution, highlighting a systemic breakdown in upholding the law despite clear court rulings and political commitments. The recent RTI information, which reveals the harsh truth of inaction amid increasing violations, illustrates how the system has failed to shield residents from relentless noise disturbances created by bustling nightclubs and restaurants despite assurances. This breakdown reflects a sorry state where economic benefits, tourism, and political collaboration have eclipsed the rights and well-being of citizens.
In the last four years, governmental records indicate a concerning trend: a rise in documented cases against clubs and venues violating noise regulations, yet an exceedingly low rate of charge sheets and fines. In 2025, despite 17 cases being recorded by August, no charge sheets had been filed. Previous years exhibited some movement—initial compliance from 2021 to 2023 appeared encouraging—but starting in 2024, cases accumulated with minimal follow-up. Repeat offenders continued their operations without consequence, disregarding legal limits as authorities remain indifferent.
This trend highlights a systemic stagnation — where cases are reported but enforcement is merely superficial rather than meaningful. Residents, who have endured sleepless nights and disrupted lives, express a sense of disillusionment: “Cases are just on paper,” they remark. Despite the court’s orders, which include the installation of sound monitoring devices and strict penalties, violations persist, particularly during peak tourist periods and national holidays. Every extended weekend illustrates this failure, with music blasting into the early hours, disregarding legally imposed restrictions.
The RTI reveals a chasm between policies and their enforcement. The judiciary has mandated actions such as real-time sound monitoring, penalties, and the display of decibel thresholds, yet these directives are either overlooked or poorly implemented. The police and pollution control authorities frequently ignore clear violations, often citing logistical issues or arguing that regulations impede tourism. It is increasingly clear that nightlife and tourism are priorities over peace and health.
The political discourse, led by the Chief Minister's promises of action, feels empty in light of the ongoing turmoil. If we may recall, the CM vowed once again a crackdown on noise pollution in the monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly. Despite pledges to crack down on noisy establishments and directives to apply existing laws, enforcement remains inconsistent and ineffective. The repeated inability to shut down or penalise offenders conveys the message that legality is flexible — an unwritten invitation for businesses to operate outside the law, often backed by political influence or economic motivation.
The systemic breakdown provokes key questions. Why are there laws if they are not upheld? How can the government rationalise ignoring violations that have a concrete negative impact on residents' health, sleep, and mental well-being? The struggles of locals — who are unable to access justice— should have taken precedence. Sadly, the law, which is intended to protect vulnerable communities, has become ineffective, unable to deliver justice or restore tranquility.
This circumstance calls for critical reflection on a scenario that is unfolding right before our eyes, yet there is no remedy. The political class feels it, and so does the government and the judiciary, but sadly, the issue lies much deeper. The ongoing turmoil indicates a breakdown in governance — a failure of accountability and political resolve. Without real enforcement, the issue of noise pollution will persist, silencing the voices of those yearning for peace.
