GHRC seeks response from Chicalim panchayat on noise issue

Panaji: The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) on Thursday issued a notice to the Chicalim panchayat secretary and the Goa State Pollution Control Board member secretary following a complaint by a senior citizen over noise pollution at Dabolim.The senior citizen said that noise caused by a structural fabrication workshop, Bhagwati structural works, in a residential area is affecting not just his, but also his 90-year-old mother’s quality of life on a daily basis.“It is a cause of concern to me, a retired teacher and my mother. We can’t even hear each other talk at times. The works happen throughout the day, sometimes they start at 8am and end at 6.30pm. They work even on Saturday, Sunday as well as public holidays. I have had to block walls and windows in my home to reduce the noise inside,” he wrote in his complaint.He also added that despite several complaints, the authorities have not dealt seriously with the problem as they continue to suffer.The commission’s chairperson Justice Bharat P Deshpande, and members Desmond D’Costa and Pramod Kamat sought responses from the authorities by July 1. The commission asked them to remain present in person or through their representative at the hearing.