Goa: Government cracks down on nightclubs flouting norms; licence inspections, closures under way

The Goa government has launched an intensive crackdown to inspect and seal nightclubs found violating safety and licensing norms ahead of the Christmas and New Year season.

Officials said Sunday that teams comprising members from the district administration, fire and emergency services and the police have begun inspections across the North Goa tourism belt, reported PTI.




The action follows the December 6 fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora in North Goa, which claimed 25 lives.

“We are inspecting all the nightclubs, checking their licences and permissions. Any club found to be violating the norms is sealed,” government officer Kabir Shirgaonkar, who is heading the inspection team, as quoted by PTI. Another official said the team has been authorised to seal establishments found flouting norms immediately.

So far, two nightclubs, Goya Club and Cafe CO2 Goa, both located at Vagator have been sealed. Cafe CO2 Goa was situated on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea. Shirgaonkar said Goya Club was built on agricultural land, while Cafe CO2 Goa did not have a no-objection certificate from the Fire and Emergency Services Department and lacked structural stability.

The Fire and Emergency Services Department has also ordered the revocation of the no-objection certificate granted to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna in North Goa. A surprise inspection conducted on Saturday found that the existing fire prevention and safety arrangements at the premises were inadequate and required upgradation, according to an order issued by divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.

The inspections come days after chief minister Pramod Sawant held a high-level meeting with senior officials and tourism stakeholders to strengthen safety measures ahead of the festive season. Officials said licences of tourist establishments lacking fire safety compliance would be cancelled, and the sale of liquor after 11 pm across the state has been prohibited to curb late-night violations.

So far seven people have been arrested in connection with the Arpora nightclub, officials said. Authorities have also formed multiple committees, including a magisterial inquiry panel and a fire safety audit committee, to probe the incident and review safety norms. A preliminary investigation by the police and the Directorate of Fire Services concluded that the blaze was caused when electric firecrackers ignited the nightclub’s wooden ceiling. Authorities said the rapid spread of the fire was exacerbated by inadequate safety measures and a lack of functional fire-fighting equipment at the venue.

Meanwhile, a CBI team has reached Phuket, Thailand, to complete the deportation process of Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, owners of Birch by Romeo Lane. The Indian embassy in Thailand will issue emergency certificates after their Indian passports were suspended by the Union government. Chief minister Pramod Sawant confirmed to TOI that the investigative team is in Thailand.
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