Hosted late-night parties even after premises were officially sealed
MAPUSA
In a belated but significant move, the district administration has ordered the disconnection of electricity and water supply to the controversial Club Diaz in Anjuna, which has repeatedly come under fire for flouting norms, including hosting parties despite being sealed by authorities.
A senior official of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) confirmed that both the electricity and water departments have been instructed to sever services to the establishment.
“The directions have already been issued in line with the orders of the North Goa District Collector. The departments concerned are expected to act swiftly,” the GSPCB official said.
The action follows fresh revelations that Club Diaz, along with several other clubs along the Anjuna-Vagator coastal belt, continued to operate beyond permitted hours, with loud music blaring well past the 10 pm deadline mandated under noise pollution regulations.
The Goan had earlier reported that Club Diaz hosted late-night parties even after the premises had been officially sealed.
The latest breach came to light after Gerald Fernandes, the High Court-appointed member of the State Noise Monitoring Committee, conducted a surprise inspection over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Club Diaz has responded by putting up a status on its WhatsApp, claiming it is "closed for maintenance."
However, locals remain deeply sceptical of the move.
“We’ve seen this before – temporary closures, token actions and then it's back to business as usual. This is just an eyewash prompted by the ongoing High Court contempt proceedings,” said a local resident from Anjuna, requesting anonymity.
Residents say that despite multiple crackdowns in the past, the enforcement often lacks follow-through, allowing clubs to resume operations with little consequence.
The present action coincides with a contempt petition being heard in the High Court regarding persistent violations of noise pollution norms by several coastal clubs.
Sources suggest that the administration's recent urgency stems more from judicial scrutiny than a genuine intent to enforce the law on the ground.
“Unless there is sustained monitoring and repeated enforcement, these clubs won’t stop. It’s time the authorities showed they mean business,” said another resident, expressing frustration over years of inaction.
Residents in the area said the club has remained shut since Monday, with its premises plunged in complete darkness.
