Goa's Sunburn festival may be banned in peak tourist season

Goa government is mulling not to permit the crowd-pulling dance music festivals in the state between December 15 and January 15 which is the peak tourist season, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said on Wednesday.

“We are seriously thinking not to allow mega events like electronic dance music festivals between December 15 and January 15 every year as the state witnesses rush of tourists during that time who arrive here to usher in the New Year,” Parulekar said.

If the organisers want, they can have their event before December 15 or after January 15, when the peak time for rush of tourists is not there, he said.   EDM festivals -- Sunburn and VH1 Supersonic are held annually in Goa in the last week of December.

The state police had earlier objected to these events pointing out that it creates pressure on the law and order machinery.

Parulekar said the state-level permission panel held its first meeting on Tuesday and expressed reservations on allowing the music festivals during the peak season.

The government is of the view that it is not possible to allow two EDM festivals at the same time from the security point of view, he said.

Both the organisers have already moved an application seeking permission to host the festival this year.

“The panel has asked them to submit their proposed dates for holding the event. We have also conveyed the organisers to consider holding the events before December 15 or post January 15 to reduce further pressure on the state machinery,” the minister said.

Photograph: Sunburn Festival/Facebook