MAPUSA
Residents along the North Goa coastal belt, particularly in areas like Calangute, Candolim and Anjuna-Vagator, continue to grapple with the menace of loud music, despite assurances from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to curb the issue, citing concerns for students amidst ongoing board exams.
While there has been a reduction in the nuisance of loud music after 10 pm, many establishments flout regulations by blasting music between 6 pm to 10 pm, well beyond the permissible decibel levels mandated by the Supreme Court.
Reports suggest that certain restaurant and club owners employ deceptive tactics, such as abruptly lowering and then raising the volume mid-event, to circumvent restrictions on sound levels after 10 pm.
Although some establishments have faced closure, a significant number persist in organizing parties and playing loud music, causing distress to nearby residents.
“The situation is a little better as the noise created by loud music has reduced. But one reason for this is because many clubs/restaurants have been sealed and therefore the cacophony of loud music has gone down,” said Ravi Harmalkar, a resident of Anjuna.
He lamented that notorious establishments like Diaz, Raeeth, House of Chapora, and Romeo Lane continue to operate with impunity, exacerbating noise pollution concerns.
Activists and residents, while acknowledging a decrease in volume, attribute it primarily to the code of conduct enforced during parliamentary elections.
“So far so good. The blaring music after 10 pm seems to be under control. But this is basically because of the election code. The police have also become proactive and take prompt action against our complaints,” said Desmond D’Costa, a veteran activist against noise pollution along the Anjuna-Vagator coastline.
However, despite assurances and regulatory measures, residents remain perturbed by the persistent disturbance caused by loud music, particularly during the evening hours.
A resident of Anjuna, Jawish Moniz highlighted ongoing challenges, noting that while music after 10 pm has subdued, it continues to disrupt residents' peace, particularly during peak evening hours.
The Xavier Retreat House in Baga has been particularly affected due to the relentless noise emanating from nearby shacks and commercial units.
“Although the volume of the music drops after 10 pm, they blast the music between 6 pm and 10 pm. It’s just unbearable,” said Fr Shanon Pereira, Director of the Xavier Retreat House.
He said people, some of whom are foreigners, who attend the retreats and expect to find solace in the retreat house are greatly disappointed.
Antonio De Souza, a resident of Calangute, echoed sentiments of frustration, describing the music as unbearable and likening it to noise rather than melodic sound.
“I attended a service at the retreat house and the loud music from the shacks was unbearable. We could not concentrate in our religious programme inside the retreat house,” De Souza said.
Despite sporadic efforts and assurances from authorities, the persistence of loud music along the coastal belt underscores a continuing challenge in mitigating noise pollution and safeguarding the well-being of residents and visitors alike.
