Anjuna p’yat files plaint with GSPCB, deputy collector and police against event
A stage has been constructed on Vagator Beach to host the event.
MAPUSA
In a dramatic turn of events, the Anjuna Panchayat has come under increasing pressure from local residents to take action against the proprietor of Echo Vamos, a popular venue at Vagator, Anjuna.
The controversy surrounds an ongoing event, part of the Circus X Namas Cray Experiences 2024/NY 2025, which has been playing loud music until the early hours of the morning and, according to locals, has failed to obtain necessary permission from the village panchayat.
Laxmidas Chimulkar, the Sarpanch of Anjuna, voiced the concerns of the community, labeling the event a major violation of local norms.
“The event is in total violation of all the norms, creating nuisance and havoc, and disturbing the peace and serenity of the villagers,” Chimulkar stated firmly. He added that the music starts at 8 pm every evening and continues late into the night, often disturbing the residents until dawn.
The Anjuna Panchayat, responding to local grievances, has written formal complaints to several authorities, including the Goa State Pollution Control Board, the Deputy Collector of Bardez and the Anjuna Police, urging them to investigate and take action against the illegal commercial activities taking place at the venue.
Interestingly, the event organizers had secured permission from the Deputy Collector, Kabir Shirgaonkar, to use loudspeakers at Echo Vamos.
The permission granted to Gandhar Shirodkar of Ansabhat, Mapusa, was limited to specific hours: from 12 pm to 10 pm from December 27 to December 30, and on December 31 from 12 pm to 12 am.
However, residents and activists have expressed concern that these conditions are being violated, with music blasting well past the agreed-upon hours, creating significant discomfort for the local community.
The protest over the Echo Vamos event has highlighted a broader issue.
Local residents are frustrated by what they perceive as a growing trend of clubs and venues in the Anjuna-Vagator area hosting loud, disruptive events.
Yet, while several clubs are known to play music in their indoor establishments, this particular event is taking place outdoors, on a large stage set up near the Vagator beach.
The stage is built very close to residential homes, amplifying the disturbance.
Local activist groups have voiced particular concern about the impact of such events on the community’s wellbeing, and several have pointed out that the proximity of the stage to homes makes it almost impossible to avoid the noise. Many residents are now calling for stricter regulations and enforcement of rules to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Interestingly, despite the uproar over Echo Vamos, another event, The Reset IV, has garnered little attention.
This event, slated to take place from 8 pm on December 31 until 8 am on January 1, 2025, at Dream Beach in Vagator, has not faced similar scrutiny.
The discrepancy has raised eyebrows, and when questioned about this selective approach, Sarpanch Chimulkar responded that the issue with Echo Vamos is the scale and location of the event.
“Other places may be playing music within the confines of their restaurants, but this event is being held in the open, right on the beach, and it causes a lot of disruption for the local residents,” Chimulkar explained.
“They should have sought the proper permissions before hosting such an event.”
As the controversy continues, the future of such large-scale, outdoor events in the Anjuna-Vagator region remains uncertain.
While the local authorities have yet to take significant action against the Echo Vamos event, the complaints from residents and activists show that the issue of noise pollution and unauthorized events is one that will likely need more careful attention in the coming year.
