MAPUSA
Even as Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) Chairman Levinson Martins (IAS) on Tuesday spoke at length about strict enforcement against noise pollution, ground reality along the nightlife-heavy Vagator-Anjuna coastal belt suggests little has changed.
The weekend just gone by witnessed continuous loud music, particularly during night hours, across several stretches of the coast – raising serious questions about the effectiveness of GSPCB’s online noise monitoring systems installed at chronic hotspots and the alerts they are supposed to generate.
Residents and long-time campaigners allege that all-night trance music parties continue unabated, especially in areas such as Ozran and Anjuna, leaving locals with no respite even after repeated complaints.
“These days there has been absolutely no relief from the all-night loud trance music parties at Ozran, Anjuna,” said Desmond Alvares, a prominent anti-noise pollution campaigner and one of the petitioners before the High Court in cases related to noise violations.
While the GSPCB has announced a slew of measures, including real-time monitoring, public complaint helplines and heavy penalties for violators, locals say enforcement on the ground remains weak, with authorities allegedly turning a blind eye and deaf ear to complaints.
“The Board makes big announcements about action taken and action to be taken, but the reality is very different,” said a resident, pointing out that loud music continues well beyond permissible hours, especially on weekends.
Jawish Moniz, another Anjuna resident who has been actively campaigning against noise pollution and alleged illegalities in the area, said complaints to both the police and the GSPCB have yielded little result.
“We have been complaining to the police and even to the GSPCB about loud noise. But who is actually taking action?” Moniz asked.
The continued violations have renewed concerns among residents about the accountability of enforcement agencies, particularly in designated nightlife zones, and whether the monitoring systems and legal provisions being cited are translating into meaningful action on the ground.
As the peak tourist season progresses, locals fear that without visible enforcement, the gap between policy pronouncements and ground-level action on noise pollution in Goa’s coastal belt will only widen further.
