Before 2007, before people in Goa and India have even envisaged the term ‘EDM festival’, the end of December meant everyone came to Goa to bring in the New Year. So, starting from around December 27-28, one would see the roads in North Goa slowly fill up. By December 30, it was a madding crowd, everyone ready to party up and ring in the next year. Traffic jams were a given, sometimes even stretching from Calangute to as far back as Saligao, Parra and even Verem on the other road from Betim. The beaches were full of people. The roads were full of people, but those were different times. When Sunburn and later Supersonic happened, it was a little different. The roads were the same and the crowds too, but there was massive congestion, due to people from the neighbouring cities driving down with their cars. This gave a whole new meaning to traffic jams. Pre-2007, one saw many GA registered cars and a decent percentage of MH, KA and other cars. By 2010 onwards, the number of outstation cars went up massively. Perhaps five to ten times more. The number of people also increased.
What did this do for the local economy? It ensured that the restaurants and hotels were full, but there was a lot of noise and a lot of disturbances. The business-minded didn’t mind it, but the laymen and women did. Now the Goa government has decided to finally put their foot down. No licences will be issued for music festivals from December 15 to January 15 was the refrain. Supersonic just recently announced their move to Pune. ‘HaPoona Matata’ said the advertisement online.
Sunburn is exercising radio silence. Rumours are that they just might stay in Goa, but there are also those who say things are not that simple. Nevertheless, there are a few questions. Did the government do the right thing? Should they have allowed one festival to be staged at the end of December and moved the other one out? Will people still come to Goa to ring in the New Year, as before? No one knows the answers just yet, but there are many in Goa who have their opinions.
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What is your opinion on this issue? Should the government stand firm even now? Is Brand Goa bigger than any of these festivals, or will we suffer the consequences of this decision? Mail us at [email protected] or find us on social media
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We need the festivals. There are so many who are now asking me, “Why do we come to Goa during the end of December when there are no festivals?” I don’t know what to say to them. In the past, before Sunburn and Supersonic, people came to Goa to enjoy New Years, but now that they have a taste of the festivals you cannot just take it out. We do not have the infrastructure but with proper planning anything can happen. With the amount of money they are charging for tickets they can easily hire more people to help maintain law and order. The festivals draw in a large amount of people and now we will lose them.
Mackenzie Eudes Pereira, DJ and host
I feel the government should only allow only one festival during the peak time between Christmas and New Year. The government should allot space for this festival in an area which has the relevant infrastructure in place. Transport and safety measures are very important. There should be much better planning so that people living in and around do not suffer. Supersonic has already shifted to Pune in February. It has been announced on social media. The government does not provide the relevant input and support to these festivals with regard to planning. These festivals have helped to promote tourism in their own way.
Aakash Madgavkar, entrepreneur
I think the Government is absolutely right. Goa isn't ready infrastructure and security wise to handle two big festivals at the same time and during the peak tourist season. The festival organizers should realize that moving the festival dates will actually help create a better festival experience for the fans as there will be less traffic, cheaper places to stay etc.
Nathaniel D’Costa, digital strategist
I have been a patron of Sunburn and Supersonic since they began, and it has truly been an amazing experience each time. I'm also proud of the fact that it's all happening in Goa! However, I definitely agree with the government on moving the dates from December to another month. Being a resident of Calangute, I've witnessed the chaos it can cause. It's a huge stress on the infrastructure, since December is the preferred month for most travellers and there's so much of a crowd that comes in. It's quite obvious that the event organisers choose the end of December because of high footfalls, but now that both the brands have achieved popularity amongst the masses, I really feel that people would come in to Goa for the festivals during any other month to be a part of the experience.
Edson Martins, entrepreneur
