Hill Top and Salud ordered to suspend operations for two months; fined for repeated breaches
MAPUSA
Taking a tough stand against violations of noise pollution norms, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has withdrawn the Consent to Operate granted to two popular nightclubs in Anjuna – Hill Top Bar and Restaurant and Salud – and ordered the establishments to suspend operations with immediate effect for a period of two months.
In directions issued under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Board has also imposed an environmental compensation of Rs 2 lakh on Salud and Rs 1.4 lakh on Hill Top, the popular restaurant-cum-nightclubs, for repeatedly exceeding permissible noise limits and for failure to consistently transmit real-time noise data from its online noise monitoring system.
According to the GSPCB order, a show-cause notice dated January 21, 2026, had been issued to the management of Hill Top Bar & Restaurant and M/s Salud Kitchen and Lounge following an analysis of real-time online noise monitoring data for the period between October 1 and December 31, 2025.
The data revealed that noise levels recorded at the establishments frequently exceeded prescribed limits. In addition, on several days the online noise monitoring station failed to relay any data at all.
The management of Hill Top had submitted a reply to the show-cause notice on February 2, 2026. However, the Board found the response “unsatisfactory”, stating that Hill Top is a predominant generator of noise in the area and that attributing excess noise levels to other, unconfirmed sources was neither factually nor technically feasible.
On the contrary, Salud had failed to respond to the show cause notice.
The Board also noted that the establishments had neither denied the failure to transmit data nor informed the GSPCB about any technical issues affecting the monitoring station.
Further verification of data for the period from January 1 to January 31, 2026, showed that real-time noise data was again not transmitted on January 17, 18 and 23, despite the earlier show-cause notice.
In view of these continued violations, the GSPCB withdrew the Consent to Operate issued to both the restaurants and directed the immediate closure of the establishment for two months. The Board has ordered the management of Salud to pay the environmental compensation of Rs 2 lakh and Hill Top Rs 1.40 lakh within one week of receipt of the directions.
The GSPCB has also laid down a series of corrective measures, including enclosing the premises with proper acoustic enclosures and a double-door system to prevent noise from escaping outside.
The establishment has been instructed to obtain guidance and clearances from the Electricity Department, Fire and Emergency Services, the village panchayat and other relevant authorities before carrying out the modifications.
The Board warned that failure to comply with these directions would invite stringent legal action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, without further notice.
