Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Feb 18: With complaints of loud music from restaurants and nightclubs continuing along Goa’s coastal belt, the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has intensified round-the-clock monitoring since September last year, following directives from the Bombay High Court at Goa.
Data placed before the board at a recent meeting reveals that 750 noise exceedances were recorded over the past five months through online noise monitoring systems installed at 38 coastal establishments.
In addition to this, the board has received 50 public complaints since September, while 135 more complaints were registered through the 24x7 noise monitoring helpline recently launched by the GSPCB.
The board noted that it has written to district collectors to verify whether 28 establishments, found playing music in open areas, had the requisite permissions.
Officials said that surprise inspections have also commenced, with 26 such visits carried out in recent weeks.
Since October, three letters have been addressed to the police department seeking updates on action taken against complaints forwarded by the board. Police have been informed that GSPCB officials can serve as witnesses in cases wherever required to facilitate enforcement.
The central noise monitoring cell at the GSPCB office in Saligao alerts the concerned police station and district collector whenever a noise exceedance is detected. Intimations are sent via email and followed up with phone calls to ensure prompt action “to identify the source of the noise pollution and the persons responsible and initiate necessary action as per the law”.
The board has also requested the state revenue secretary to convene a meeting of district collectors and superintendents of police to ensure timely follow-up after such alerts.
The GSPCB has initiated steps to levy environmental compensation on establishments found violating permissible noise levels.
As per high court directions, a comprehensive noise mapping study and action plan for Goa is in the final stages of preparation. Officials have raised queries with the agency Envirotech Instruments regarding certain findings in its report.
Once finalised, the board plans to direct more establishments to install noise monitoring systems based on the study’s recommendations.
Additionally, the GSPCB is working on identifying a more durable and accurate noise monitoring system to replace the current high-cost mechanism, aiming to strengthen enforcement and long-term compliance along the state’s tourism-heavy coastline.