The annual Sunburn electronic dance music (EDM) festival, slated to span four days from December 28th to 31st at Vagator, faced a wave of dissent primarily concerning its extension to include the last day of the year. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed that Sunburn would not be conducted on December 31.
“As Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo requested, we cancelled Sunburn on December 31, if the people don’t want it. How can we have it,” said Sawant.
The people of Anjuna strongly opposed the proposed Sunburn EDM festival slated for December 31, citing worries about traffic congestion and negative impacts on local businesses. Organizers initially planned a four-day event, which raised concerns among villagers who were used to the festival lasting only three days.
Residents were particularly unhappy about the extended duration, as Sunburn had historically been a three-day affair for many years. Govekar highlighted potential traffic disruptions and disturbances to local celebrations that could occur by hosting the festival on New Year's Eve.
Local MLA Delilah Lobo echoed the residents' concerns, mentioning that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant assured her that the December 31 Sunburn event would not be permitted. Lobo recognized that the festival traditionally occurred on December 28, 29, and 30, and the extension to December 31 was causing inconvenience.