PANAJI
The Environment Department has relaxed loud music restrictions on 15 festive days this year, allowing the use of loudspeakers or public address systems between 10 pm and midnight.
An order issued by Director of Environment Sachin Desai states that permissions will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
The relaxation will apply to Easter Eve on April 4 and Easter Day on April 5.
Loudspeakers beyond 10 pm will also be allowed on the second day of Ganesh Chaturthi for idol immersion on September 15, and on the fifth day of the festival on September 18. The government has also included Anant Chaturdashi (the 11th day of the Ganesh festival) in the list.
The final days of Navratri on October 20, Diwali Eve on November 7, and the period from Christmas Eve on December 24 to New Year’s Eve are also covered under the order, with loudspeakers permitted till midnight.
“The permission will be granted only on a case-by-case basis, in response to specific applications made by village panchayats, municipal corporations or councils, or individuals in Goa,” the order said.
It added that the provisions of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, must be strictly followed.
