HC directs government to monitor other events also to prevent noise pollution
Panjim: The Bombay High Court in Goa has directed state authorities to monitor not only the Sunburn electronic dance music (EDM) event but also other events across the state to ensure that noise pollution norms are not violated.
The Court has asked all concerned authorities to comply with the judgment, orders and other directions issued from time to time.
Hearing contempt petitions on Public Interest Litigation (PIL) writ petitions, a division bench of Justice Mahesh Sonak and Justice Valmiki SA Menezes observed that in the past, Sunburn organizers had not followed the laws of the country on the issue of noise pollution. Connected.
The Court hoped that this time the organizers will follow all the rules and regulations regarding granting of permission and enforcing the terms and conditions of the permission and noise pollution rules.
The court specifically referred to the statement of the defendants that they are not “fly-by-night operators” but are permanent organizers of a prestigious event in the state and the entire country and the company will sincerely abide by the laws. Of the country.
Amicus Curiae brought to the notice of the court that there were three complaints dated December 5, 2023, December 8, 2023 and December 9, 2023 regarding noise pollution issues at Gawdewada, Morjim beach, wherein a notification was issued in January 2021 in which it was announced. Silent area due to turtle nesting site. The court has asked the authorities to ensure that the notification is strictly implemented.
The Court also directed the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) and the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) and other authorities to investigate one of the establishments termed ‘anti-social Goa Morjim’, while announcing a programme. Flyer/pamphlet was issued. “Social Day Out” and one-day party. If there is any possibility of violation, all steps should be taken to ensure that the sanctity of the silence zone is not violated.
Meanwhile, a restaurant ‘Ohlala Restaurant’ in Morjim was closed after the GSPCB informed the court that it had already issued a closure notice to it.The next hearing of the case has been fixed for January 23, 2024.
On Thursday, Goa’s Advocate General, the state’s highest law officer, Devidas Pangam had warned that if any decibel level is violated at the upcoming and controversial EDM festival Sunburn, the committees formed to check noise pollution will take initiative. immediate action.
“If noise pollution crosses a particular level then Sunburn organizers will be given 10 minutes to control it. If they do not control the sound level within 10 minutes, it will be closed down by the authorities. This is the strict mechanism provided in the action plan,” the AG had said.
“There will be a sub-committee comprising a circle inspector, a police sub-inspector and an official from the Goa State Pollution Control Board. These will be deployed at three places at the venue. There will be another committee called Central Noise Monitoring Committee which will include additional collectors,” he said.
