2 key coastal police stations have no decibel meters
MAPUSA
Two key coastal police stations in Bardez where most complaints of noise pollution originate have no sound-level meters to keep a tab on loud revelry that flouts noise-pollution rules.
While the Anjuna Police Station does not have a sound-level meter, Calangute Police Station has one but it is out of order. It’s a mystery how the concerned police stations tackle complaints of loud music without the facility of a decibel meter.
Senior police officials were tight-lipped when questioned on the non-availability of decibel meters at the police stations.
Coastal Anjuna has turned into a hub of nightlife with loud music happening in every shack and nightclub throughout the night.
There have been complaints galore from concerned citizens but police have turned deaf ears to cries for help.
Citizens saw a ray of hope after the Deputy Collector of Bardez, Kapil Phadte, recently issued show-cause notices to at least 20 hotels and nightclubs in Anjuna for playing loud music along the coast.
The action came after a resident of Assagao, Desmond Alvares wrote to the deputy collector and other authorities against the noise pollution created by playing music beyond the permissible limit.
Phadte also held a meeting with citizens eliciting their views on the loud music where several locals blamed the police for failing to take action against defaulting hotels and clubs for playing loud music late in the night.
The deputy collector informed The Goan that he has initiated the process in a bid to take action against those who play music late in the night beyond the permissible limit.
“We have to follow a procedure. As a first step, a show-cause notice has been issued to all those establishments that have sought to break the law on loud music. The second step is to procure the decibel meters,” Phadte said, adding: “More action will follow.”
Meanwhile, the Assagao resident who has taken up the issue of noise pollution as a mission has said he has no faith on the authorities but would still give them a chance to act.
“I have issued legal notices to the Chief Secretary, Collector (North) and the police on the noise pollution. I will wait and watch, failing which I will approach the NGT with all the evidence,” Alvares said.
