PANAJI
With the Bombay High Court at Goa directing prosecution of Sunburn organisers for violating sound regulations, the focus is now shifted to the New Year parties that are set to kick off on Saturday night.
In the case of Sunburn, the Goa State Pollution Control Board, Collector, Deputy Collector, Mapusa DySP Mapusa and the PI of Anjuna police station were held responsible and were directed to ensure that music does not cross the permitted decibels between 3.30 pm and 10 pm.
With a series of parties lined up on Saturday night, the authorities have a task cut out, but it remains to be seen if restrictions would be imposed on New Year parties since these events hit a crescendo at midnight.
Event organisers, groups, hotels and private entities have announced grand New Year parties on Saturday evening from 7 pm - 8 pm onwards while some have boldly announced to continue partying till the next morning.
Interestingly, the organisers have also made outdoor seating arrangements as footfalls are expected to increase across the venues. The Northern coastal belt is likely to hold maximum outdoor parties.
After two years of virtual and small gatherings, this year lakhs of people have ventured out to celebrate New Year’s Eve and Day.
The New Year’s eve has traditionally been a popular tourist attraction with noted personalities and celebration flying into Goa to usher in the year with pomp and revellery.
It may be recalled that the enforcement went soft on parties on Christmas night with some continuing uninterrupted till the wee hours of the next day.
The Goa Pollution Control Board has already asserted that its designated officers are deployed on the field with sound-testing devices while the police have already set up a dedicated control room to accept complaints during this period.
DGP Jaspal Singh said the police teams intervene “ if there is a PCR call.”
