PANAJI
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has sought Action Taken Reports (ATRs) from the police and district collectorate authorities on noise pollution complaints forwarded to them, after receiving more than 900 complaints between September 2025 and the end of January.
According to officials, the Board addressed three letters -- in October, December and January -- to the police and collectorates seeking updates on action taken against violations flagged by it. “The Board has received ATRs in respect of some cases from the police, and the same are under examination,” an official said.
Since September, the Board has recorded 750 instances of noise level violations through its Real-Time Online Noise Monitoring System installed at 38 establishments. In addition, it received 50 public complaints directly and another 135 complaints through its dedicated noise monitoring helpline.
Officials explained that whenever the noise monitoring cell detects levels exceeding permissible limits, an email alert is immediately sent to the concerned police and collectorate authorities for prompt action. “The authorities are required to identify the source of the noise pollution, determine responsibility, and initiate necessary action as per law,” the official stated.
Apart from email alerts, the Board also follows up with the authorities through telephone calls and regularly seeks updates on action taken in response to its intimations.
In a separate communication, the Board has requested the Secretary (Revenue) to convene a joint meeting with District Collectors, Superintendents of Police and Board officials to review the issue. “A time-bound ATR must be submitted to the Board. Ultimately, the Board is answerable and held accountable, as the complaints are received by us,” the official said.
Meanwhile, the Board, in consultation with the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services and the State Electricity Department, is working on a proposal to mandate establishments playing amplified music to install proper acoustic enclosures along with regulated entry and exit doors to curb excessive noise levels.
