SINQUERIM: Residents of Sinquerim-Dando on Wednesday gathered at the site of a restaurant in the village, which is popular among the youngsters and tourists, in protest against loud music.
The locals alleged that the restaurant was flouting norms and playing loud music till the wee hours and as many people were coming to this popular restaurant, traffic chaos and congestion has become the order of the day due to lack of parking.
Apart from this restaurant, the locals also complained about another popular spot, a discotheque, situated along the same road leading to the above restaurant.
They called the MLA Michael Lobo and panchayat members and apprised them of the issues that were affecting the people staying in the vicinity.
The locals alleged that whenever a complaint is made about loud music, the cops come at the site and the music volume is reduced, but as soon as they leave the decibel levels go up again.
They said even on important days like Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, they have to put up with loud music and the church services are disturbed.
The residents said that they have been facing the loud music problem because of the restaurant since 2006 and the police have failed to act despite complaint.
A resident said that the situation has gone from bad to worse.
“Many people could not attend the New Year mass as they were caught in a massive traffic jam. These are high-profile people who operate the properties and influence the police,” he alleged.
A senior citizen said that “there is a sick person in our house suffering from kidney failure but when cars are parked in front of our gate it becomes difficult to move our car out. The music is played till 5 in the morning and the liquor bottles are often thrown in our compound.”
Jerson, another resident from Dando said that cars are often parked upto a kilometre stretch on both sides till the Kingfisher jetty.
Calangute MLA said that he has asked the concerned owners to ensure that their activities do not disturb peace and create nuisance for the people staying around.
Sinquerim panch Fermino Fernandes said that the two establishments in question are operating in residential area and so the people are facing problems of loud music and traffic-related.
Sources from Calangute police said that no complaint was filed by the local MLA and there was no complaint from locals either regarding the issues.
Traffic PI Salim Sheikh said that there is no parking for the restaurant and so the public road is utilised for parking.