After nightclub inferno kills 25, Goa CM warns: ‘Establishments violating safety norms will lose licences’

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday warned that the state will cancel the licences of tourist establishments that fail to comply with fire safety norms, a move coming days after a nightclub blaze left 25 people dead and triggered concerns over safety lapses across the tourism belt.

Sawant chaired a high-level meeting with officials from the North and South Goa administrations, police, tourism department, and industry stakeholders to tighten oversight ahead of the packed Christmas–New Year season. Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte also attended the review.

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The CM said the government’s fire safety audit committee has already started visiting hotels, nightclubs and other tourist establishments. “If the committee finds that the establishments have not complied with the fire safety norms, then their licences will be cancelled, and their premises will be sealed,” he told reporters after the meeting.

The review comes after the December 6 fire at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, North Goa, which claimed 25 lives and renewed scrutiny of safety standards at high-footfall venues.

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Fire audit intensified across Goa’s tourist hubs

Sawant said the committee will submit its inspection report soon, and the government will take corrective action based strictly on its findings. Establishments have been directed to follow all prescribed rules and regulations without exception.

Officials said the move is aimed at preventing any repeat of the Arpora tragedy during the state’s peak tourist season, when footfall surges and enforcement becomes more challenging.

Safety push extended to water and adventure sports

The CM added that safety protocols will also be strengthened for water sports and adventure tourism operators, sectors that see heavy participation during the year-end holidays.

Behavioural guidelines for tourism staff; action on touts

Tourism stakeholders were instructed to ensure that their employees do not engage in physical altercations with tourists. Sawant further said strict action would be taken against touts operating in the state’s hotspots.