Goa nightclub fire exposes lapses: Repeated alerts, no action, 25 dead

Goa witnessed a devastating tragedy on Saturday night. A massive fire swept through Birch by Romeo Lane, a nightclub in Arpora. The blaze killed 25 people, including four tourists and 21 staff members. The incident raised sharp questions about ignored warnings, missing licences, and weak oversight.

The fire began late at night. Flames spread fast through the structure. Survivors ran out, but many others got trapped. Police reached the spot and launched an investigation. They examined the debris, checked records, and questioned staff. They soon filed an FIR against chairman Saurabh Luthra, the club’s partners, managers, and event organisers. The FIR stated that the team ran the club without mandatory licences.

Soon after, fresh details surfaced. Local sarpanch Roshan Redkar revealed that the club stood on a structure built without a construction licence. He also spoke about disputes between Luthra, the landowner, and business partners. These fights triggered complaints last year. The panchayat then conducted an inquiry and issued a demolition notice. However, the notice did not take effect because an appeal brought a stay. The structure stayed intact. The club continued to run events.

Next, earlier complaints came to light. In December 2023, two locals—Pradeep Amonkar and Sunil Divkar—alerted authorities about illegal construction in an eco-sensitive salt-pan zone. They warned that the club stood on an unstable surface. They said the structure could collapse and kill people. The complaint remained unresolved.

Then, in April 2024, the panchayat completed another inquiry. It confirmed the illegal construction and issued a fresh order. It directed property owner Surinder Kumar Khosla to demolish all unauthorised structures within 15 days. Again, the owner appealed. Again, the higher authority granted a stay. The club kept operating, and its popularity grew.

Meanwhile, a BJP MLA, Sankalp Amonkar, raised the matter in the Goa Assembly in August. He warned about “massive illegal constructions” in a protected zone. He said the club used back-filled wetland for commercial gain. He criticised the administration for ignoring the demolition notice. His warnings did not move the system.

Now, after the fire, accountability has become urgent. On Sunday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant addressed the media. He admitted administrative failures. He announced strict action against officials who allowed the club to function despite violations. Within hours, the government suspended three officials:
– Siddhi Tushar Harlankar, then Director/Additional Director of Panchayats
– Dr Shamila Monteiro, then Member Secretary of Goa State Pollution Control Board
– Reghuvir D Bagkar, then Secretary of the Arpora-Nagoa Panchayat

Sawant also ordered a full audit of clubs and businesses across Goa. He instructed the Revenue Secretary to identify similar violations and prevent future tragedies.

As investigations continue, the nightclub fire has turned into a wider story—one about ignored warnings, overlooked rules, and a system that failed before disaster struck.Goa’s Arpora nightclub fire killed 25. The blaze exposed ignored warnings, missing licences, and oversight failures that let the club operate unchecked.