Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: The Bombay High Court at Goa today directed the Director General of Police to ensure that strict action is taken against those playing loud music beyond 10 pm and that police should be vigilant and not wait for the written complaints to act.
The Court, after going through the video evidences produced by the petitioner’s lawyer Adv Carlos Ferreira, agreed to the fact that loud music is been played outdoors beyond permissible time limit of 10pm in violation of Noise Pollution Rules.
The Court has directed the petitioner’s lawyer to meet the DGP, PIs of Anjuna and Pernem and to appraise them of these violations with the video evidences.
Goa Police had formed a three-member ‘Flying Squad’ in an effort to curb noise pollution during nighttime.
The move came after the High Court directed to take action against those playing loud music after 10 p.m. in the coastal belt.
Sources informed that with various nightclubs operating in the coastal belt of North Goa, police have become more vigilant to comply with the court order as they would be held responsible for not taking action.
Since the last couple of days, the police have started to crack down on noise pollution in the coastal belt, giving respite to the people residing in the area.
During the hearing, Aldona MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira who represented the petitioner, placed before the High Court a bunch of fifteen advertisements announcing parties during the month of December, and expressed the apprehension that they will blatantly violate the sound pollution norms.
These advertisements are about music shows or programmes held outdoors, including in the coastal areas of Anjuna, Vagator, Chapora, Arambol, Morjim, Mandrem, etc. These advertisements state that such shows are held either 8 pm onwards or 7 pm onwards and so on. There are some advertisements which referred to such shows being held even from 10 pm onwards.
The advocate told the court that some events have already taken place in open, where loud music was played outdoors beyond 10 pm and that despite complaints no action is forthcoming from the Authorities who are duty bound to take such actions.
The Court however clarified that if they have the permissions the party can continue, but under no circumstances, any sound amplifying systems should be used or employed after 10 pm outdoors. We further clarify that these directions are in respect of outdoors shows/events because these restrictions will apply to playing of music or other sounds outdoors.
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