PANAJI
As the annual tourist season is aligning with yet another long weekend, the coastal belt has once again come alive with dawn-to-dusk parties, featuring loud music, much to the annoyance of the residents and in clear violation of the law.
Late-night parties commenced on Friday, but the real extravaganza ignited on Saturday, as social media promotions by organisers boasted of live music and performances like belly dancing, fire dancing, and LED acts among other activities.
What's ironical is that despite many venues listing indoor addresses, quite a number of these parties are taking place close to the beaches. Moreover, most of these establishments are conveniently situated by the sea, even in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ).
The Goan accessed through some of these promos which mentioned parties starting in the late hours.
On Saturday night, an event 'Thunderous Tunes' took place in Vagator and as the name itself suggests, this event involved loud music.
Another show, 'Harvest Moon,' which commenced on September 29 is set to continue till October 1, above Dream Beach. The event indicates a prolonged celebration, and the location, being "above" the beach, implies it is an open-air gathering and noisy.
Full Moon Beach Bash, Saturday Night Fever and Bolly Bash Saturday, Pyramid, House Parties, and even Sunrise Cardio which began at 5 am on Saturday are just to name a few.
Not only these but several similar beachside parties are scheduled this month as the tourist season began with the arrival of the Russian Charter on Sunday.
As the debate around some illegal parties and loud music in contravention of the law continues, another complaint against one bar and restaurant at Siolim has surfaced. An Arambol resident has filed a complaint with the Siolim-Marna Village Panchayat alleging illegal and unauthorized use of the license for another commercial establishment.
As per the complainant, while a provision no objection certificate was issued, one Newton has used it for some other structure under the name 'El Patron' and sought not to issue the trade license for misinterpreting the provisional NOC.
In May this year, the division bench of the high court had made strict observations against the police while hearing a plea by a local who alleged rampant loud music in the Anjuna.
He cited various social media advertisements and promotion campaigns by clubs and party organisers, promoting late hour music shows which stretched till early hours.
