MAPUSA
The Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has stated that sewage generated by offshore casinos is under strict control and closely monitored, dismissing concerns that the vessels may be polluting the Mandovi river.
A senior GSPCB official said that each casino vessel is equipped with a sealed sewage collection tank onboard. The disposal of this waste is tightly regulated, with officials from both the GSPCB and the Captain of Ports overseeing the process.
“A GSPCB official and a representative from the Captain of Ports are stationed to monitor the collection tanks. When the tank is full, the seal can only be opened in the presence of both officers,” the official explained.
The collected sewage is then transported by barge to the shore, from where tankers carry it to the sewage treatment plant at St Inez for further processing.
In a further move to tighten environmental safeguards, the Board has directed offshore casinos to implement online monitoring systems to continuously check the quality of water around the vessels.
“The casino boats are anchored at fixed locations, which allows us to conduct water quality tests year-round. About four months ago, we instructed them to install online monitoring systems and they were expected to implement it,” the official said.
The initiative is aimed at improving transparency and ensuring that the marine environment is not compromised due to the operations of offshore casinos.
