In battle against noisy silencers, Goans suffer sleepless nights

Time of India

3 hours ago

Colva:
Across the state, residents have been losing peace — and sleep — amid the thundering roar of illegally-modified bikes. From Margao to Panaji and Taleigao to Porvorim, residents have been grappling with an alarming rise in reckless riding coupled with noise pollution.
With 11.2% of Goa's population being senior citizens above 60 — the second-highest percentage in the country — elderly citizens across Goa bear the brunt of the noise, mostly linked to young riders swapping stock silencers for custom ones that roar for attention.
In Margao itself, one local activist has lodged over 160 complaints. 'These bikers aren't just making noise, they're endangering lives and disturbing senior citizens, heart patients, and school-going kids,' he said.
The town's traffic cell inspector, Sanjay Dalvi, said that this year alone, he has booked 45 cases of modified silencers.
Police statistics reveal that 283 cases of modified silencers have been booked till July 31 this year, with nine by North Goa police, 14 by South Goa police, and 260 by traffic cell. This is a significant jump from last year, when Goa police booked just 303 such cases all year.
The Margao activist said that the fight often comes at a personal cost.
He told TOI that after reporting violators, his phone number was leaked, leading to threatening calls. Some bikers even showed up at his building, asking for him, he said.
Another resident, speaking anonymously for fear of retaliation, said that a 24-hour cafe on the ground floor of her building has turned into a biker hangout. 'All day and night, we live with unbearable noise. Our children can't study, we can't rest, and our health is suffering,' she said.
Margao-based general practitioner Dr Somnath Ghadge said that the racket from modified silencers isn't just a nuisance but also a health risk. 'These loud silencers can trigger hypertension, raise heart rates, cause headaches, anxiety, and even lead to depression. Anything above 45 decibels can disturb sleep and cause chronic stress,' he said.
Dr Jorson Fernandes echoed similar concerns, adding that it is not just a hazard to humans but also to birds and animals, as it affects the cardiac rhythm.
'The RTO and the police should identify the hazard and conduct a risk assessment,' he said.
Offenders face a Rs 10,000 fine under Section 190(2) of The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 , confiscation of the silencer, and court proceedings. However, the whistleblower also wants police to crack down on garages and vendors selling or installing these illegal silencers.
'Checking insurance, pollution certificates, seizing the vehicle, confiscating the silencer, and imposing hefty penalties, that's the only way to bring real change,' he said.
He claims that many of these bikes lack basic documents like insurance and pollution control certificates, and some don't even display registration numbers. Often, helmet use is ignored.
Meanwhile, police and RTO cite limitations, stating that they can penalise riders but have no authority to act directly against mechanics modifying the bikes. Assistant director (enforcement) at Fatorda RTO, Nixon Soares, said that his office issued show cause notices and Rs 5,000 fines under Section 182A (4) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, to some offenders, but admitted many had already been booked by the police.
SP (traffic) Praboth Shirvoikar said that periodic drives are conducted and strict action is a standing order. But for now, the state's sleepless nights continue.
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