PANAJI
The Department of Environment and Climate Change has notified 15 days of the current year, including the last day of Carnival (February 16) as festive days where sound restriction rules will be permitted to be relaxed for the two hours between 10 pm and midnight.
The notification issued by Environment Director Dasharath Redkar, who also doubles up ex-officio as joint secretary to the government has also listed in it two nights for Ganesh Chathurti -- second and fifth day of idol immersion -- besides four nights for Diwali, including two for Navratri, two for Christmas including the eve (December 24) and New Year's eve.
Other days notified for relaxation of sound rules in the two night hours are Holi, Easter eve, Anant Chaturdashi on September 19, Kojagiri Poornima on October 19 and Tripurari/Kartiki Pornima on November 18.
The restrictions on amplified sound under stringent noise pollution laws have been a source of intense debate with Goa's events and showbiz sector crucial to the tourism industry often raising its voice against it.
However, residents and concerned citizens, particularly in the coastal tourism heartland of North Goa between Candolim and extending up north up to Keri have been for years complaining of unrestricted use of amplified sound disturbing their nights and affecting students across the belt.
