Rave parties back in Goa?

Panaji, April 30 (IANS) Late night rave parties may again become the rage in Goa as the state government is trying to create special tourism zones where stringent sound pollution norms could be relaxed, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said here Monday.

Speaking to reporters at the state secretariat, Parrikar said the tourism industry was demanding that Goa's stringent sound pollution laws be relaxed as it was affecting tourism in the state.

Parrikar said that he discussed the matter of creating special tourism zones with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his meeting with him in New Delhi last week.

"Special tourism zones can be created in thinly-populated areas, where the norms related to playing loud music could be relaxed," Parrikar said.

When asked whether rave parties could be held in these special tourism zones, Parrikar said: "There can be".

The chief minister said the present sound pollution norms were also affecting Catholic wedding parties, which often continue till late in the night.

"The present laws are also creating problems for Catholic weddings," Parrikar said.

Known for its picturesque beaches and world heritage architecture, Goa is one of the top destinations in the country visited by a large number of international and domestic tourists each year.