Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Hill Top and Salud ordered closed for two months; environmental penalties imposed under Environment Protection Act
Cracking down on persistent breaches of noise pollution regulations, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has revoked the Consent to Operate issued to two well-known nightlife venues in Anjuna—Hill Top Bar and Restaurant and Salud Kitchen and Lounge—and directed them to halt operations immediately for a period of two months.
Invoking powers under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Board has also levied environmental compensation of ₹2 lakh on Salud and ₹1.40 lakh on Hill Top. The penalties were imposed for repeatedly recording noise levels beyond permissible limits and for failing to ensure uninterrupted transmission of real-time data from their online noise monitoring systems.
According to official orders issued by the GSPCB, show-cause notices dated January 21, 2026, were served on both establishments after an examination of online noise monitoring data collected between October 1 and December 31, 2025. The analysis indicated frequent breaches of prescribed noise standards. Additionally, on multiple days, the monitoring systems failed to transmit any data to the Board.
While Hill Top submitted a reply to the notice on February 2, 2026, the GSPCB termed the response unsatisfactory. The Board observed that Hill Top was a major source of noise pollution in the area and rejected claims that excess noise could be attributed to unidentified external sources, stating that such explanations lacked technical and factual backing.
In contrast, Salud did not submit any response to the show-cause notice.
The Board further noted that neither establishment disputed the failure to transmit data nor informed the GSPCB of any technical malfunction affecting the noise monitoring equipment. A subsequent review of data from January 1 to January 31, 2026, revealed fresh lapses, with real-time noise data not being transmitted on January 17, 18, and 23, even after the issuance of the initial notice.
Citing continued non-compliance, the GSPCB withdrew the operational permissions granted to both establishments and ordered their closure with immediate effect. The managements have been directed to deposit the environmental compensation amounts within one week of receiving the order.
In addition to punitive action, the Board has prescribed corrective measures, including the installation of acoustic enclosures and a double-door entry system to prevent noise from escaping the premises. The establishments have also been instructed to obtain necessary approvals from the Electricity Department, Fire and Emergency Services, the local village panchayat, and other concerned authorities before undertaking any structural modifications.
The GSPCB has cautioned that failure to comply with these directions will result in strict legal action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, without any further notice.
