Goa administration has stepped-up its crackdown on clubs, restaurants and other tourist and entertainment establishments, as well as strengthened safety rules to avoid the recurrence of incidents such as the deadly blaze in Birch by Romeo Lane on September 6 that killed 25 people.
At least two nightclubs have been sealed for violating building norms, said officials.
Cafe CO2 Goa, a prominent nightclub located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed on Saturday. Earlier in the week, Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations.
Officials said an inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa at Ozrant Cliff by a state government-appointed team revealed that the club, which has a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Fire and Emergency Services Department.
“There are some issues with its structural stability as well. Additionally, the club had extended its construction beyond the permissible limits, due to which it was shut down,” a state government official said.
Additionally, new safety measures have been put in place ahead of the Christmas and New Year season, including mandatory fire safety compliance, a complete ban on fireworks, and restrictions on liquor sales after 11 pm.
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Under the new guidelines, all establishments must maintain valid fire safety certifications and obtain necessary NOCs from the Fire Department. Functional smoke detectors, sprinklers, fire hydrants and fire extinguishers have also been made mandatory.
Emergency exits and escape routes must remain unobstructed, with illuminated signage, evacuation maps and emergency lighting in place. Establishments are also required to strictly adhere to authorised occupancy limits to prevent overcrowding.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant warned that establishments failing to comply with the new norms will face cancellation of licences and sealing of premises.
The use, ignition or operation of fireworks, sparklers and pyrotechnic effects has been completely prohibited inside nightclubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, beach shacks and all other event venues across Goa.
Meanwhile, owners of Birch by Romeo Lane, Saurabh Luthra and his brother Gaurav Luthra, have been in detention in Phuket, Thailand, where authorities have initiated deportation proceedings, government sources said on Friday.
Police investigating the fire tragedy have so far arrested six people, including managers and staff members of the nightclub.
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