PANAJI
Delta Cruise Ltd has got green clearance to replace its offshore casino vessel MV Deltin Royale Floatel with a new massive 112-metre long vessel in River Mandovi. The Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has granted CRZ clearance for commencing operation at the new vessel- MV Deltin Royale.
The CRZ clearance has been granted even though the Expert Members expressed apprehensions pertaining to the health of the river, which currently houses around six offshore casinos. They also noted that the project proponent has not undertaken water quality assessment of the area, where the new vessel is set to be anchored.
The Delta Pleasure Cruise Company Pvt Ltd had approached GCZMA seeking permission to conduct business activities on vessel MB Deltin Royale- a new off shore casino vessel, which is set to commence its operations in December, 2025. The application was filed way back in January.
According to the proposal, the applicant is planning to replace vesse, MV Royale Floatel with vessel MV Deltin Royale.
Following the application, a site inspection was conducted by the expert members led by Dr Sushant Naik in June. The proposed location for anchoring the vessel in River Mandovi is CRZ IVB area as per Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2011. The vessel is five-storey from the base line with a total height of 26.50 meters.
The expert members noted that above the 5th level, there is an open deck, which is not included in the height.
The expert members raised concern over river water pollution pointing out that the Mandovi river houses several casinos and health of the river is crucial being one of the major rivers of Goa. “This new vessel will be an addition to these and though a replacement to an existing vessel, is of a larger dimension,” the members said.
“Hence, any activity of this nature should be planned and managed carefully without causing any detrimental changes to the ecosystem,” they opined.
Referring to the Rapid Environment Impact Assessment (REIA) report submitted by the project proponent, the experts said that the report contains water quality assessment of various physico-chemical parameters of the stations at eight different locations. They observed that the REIA has failed to undertake water quality assessment of the area, where the new vessel would be anchored.
“However, other than the Santa Monica jetty there is no-sampling and data of the water quality/sediment quality of River Mandovi, especially at the location where the new vessel will be placed,” they pointed out adding that such data should act as a baseline at the location of the new vessel.
The new modern vessel has got world class facilities and gaming options, as per the company.
Deltin currently operates three offshore floating casinos in Goa — Deltin Royale, Deltin Jaqk and Kings Casino.
