MAPUSA
After the High Court of Bombay at Goa coming down heavily against those playing loud music beyond 10 pm, this weekend was a lot less noisy giving much relief to people along North Goa’s famed coastline which is dotted with nightclubs and restaurants.
Apart from some stray incidents, most of the nightclubs and restaurants and even the shacks along the popular beach locales of North Goa stopped playing amplified music adhering to the noise pollution rules.
While there were complaints of loud music being played in some clubs in Anjuna-Vagator and Candolim, by and large the nights along the coast were unusually quiet after 10 pm.
Local residents were the happiest lot as they were bombarded with loud music especially during the weekends.
A host of domestic tourists land in Goa during the weekends and gate crash to the nightclubs dotting the coastline to unwind themselves.
“In the past it was so noisy with each nightclub trying to outdo the other in playing loud music. It has completely stopped after the High Court direction. Our nights are so peaceful. People are also very happy as they can go to sleep peacefully,” said Sagardeep Sirsaikar, who is one of the petitioners on sound pollution which the High Court is presently hearing.
While the nightclubs were the ones that have been affected the most due to the court order, for restaurants it was business as usual as it continued to serve its customers even after 10 pm minus the loud music though.
For many, the quiet nights were very unusual especially during the weekend but a welcome sign nevertheless.
“Most units along the Anjuna-Vagator coast were shut after 10 pm during this weekend. It is very unusual. But then the owners of the nightclubs have no alternative especially with the High Court monitoring the sound pollution case,” said Desmond Alvares, who is a passionate complainant against sound pollution and a former member of the HC appointed noise monitoring committee.
However, Alvares pointed out that a starred resort in Anjuna-Vagator and another nightclub right on the beach in Ozrant continued playing loud music till midnight.
In Calangute, the sound of music died down much before the clock could strike 10 in the night as a proactive Calangute police have been patrolling the beach area asking the stakeholders, particularly the shack owners to stop playing music.
“The sound of music has come down drastically no doubt after the High Court order but the authorities are partial while implementing the law. Police have been very vigorous in asking the shack owners to stop the music but appeared to be pussyfooting while implementing the same law against some influential hotel and pub owners,” said John Lobo, Secretary of Shack Owners Association.
In Candolim, however, it was business as usual as hoteliers were found playing music nonchalantly beyond 10 pm.
“The music has not stopped here. Music continues to be played at least in my area despite the High Court direction,” said Roshan Mathais, a local resident and a social activist.
The sudden silence in the nights has brought huge relief and smiles on the faces of local residents who have been badgered with loud music day and night with no relief in sight despite complaints to various authorities.
But behind the smiles there is also a concern whether this will last or fade away after a few days.
“The music has indeed stopped. There is complete silence after 10 pm. It’s a great feeling. What we experienced all these years was not loud music but chaos. It was just noise,” said Premanand Diukar, a resident of Calangute, appearing very ecstatic at the court’s decision.
“We are worried that after some days it will be back to square one. I would appreciate if the authorities keep the vigil throughout and ensure complete peace along the coast,” he said.
With tourism season expected to peak around Christmas time and several big-ticket musical events like Sunburn lined up during the month, the concern of locals appears real.
