MAPUSA
High drama unfolded on the Mandovi river at Reis Magos on Thursday afternoon after a group of locals confronted workers allegedly attempting to dredge the riverbed to make way for a floating casino.
According to eyewitnesses, a barge carrying heavy dredging machinery anchored along the Reis Magos side of the river at around 3 pm.
Workers on board began marking portions of the river with floating red buoys and unloading equipment, allegedly to prepare for dredging operations.
Within minutes, word spread in the village, and nearly 70 residents rushed to the spot.
The workers, who claimed they had obtained official permission for dredging, were questioned by the agitated crowd.
Unconvinced, the villagers demanded they halt operations immediately.
Sensing the rising anger, the workers packed up their gear and retreated from the site, taking their machinery with them.
Locals alleged that the activity was linked to a plan by a casino operator to anchor a five-storied offshore casino vessel at Reis Magos, a move they say would devastate traditional fishing activities in the area.
North Goa District Congress president Virendra Shirodkar, who joined the protest, said: “The Mandovi on this side is the lifeline for our fishing community, especially for shellfish collection. If a casino anchors here, hundreds of families will lose their livelihood. We will not allow this at any cost.”
Later in the evening, nearly 150 villagers gathered at a Verem temple to discuss the incident.
Local leaders, including Saligao MLA Kedar Naik and ZP member Sandeep Bandodkar, attended the meeting.
Naik sought to reassure the villagers, saying: “I stand with the people of Reis Magos. As long as I am your MLA, I will not allow any casino to be set up here.”
However, some residents expressed skepticism about political assurances. Social worker Rajesh Dabholkar warned: “We cannot blindly trust politicians or this government. The villagers must stay alert and united. If we let our guard down, these projects will sneak in and destroy our way of life.”
The mood at the meeting was defiant, with villagers unanimously resolving to resist any attempts to shift casino operations to the Reis Magos–Verem stretch of the Mandovi.
Residents said they would escalate their agitation if needed and were prepared to approach the authorities to demand clarity on the alleged dredging permission.
“This is not just about one village, but about preserving our river and traditional occupations,” a local fisherman said.
Meanwhile, officials have yet to issue a statement on whether the dredging attempt was authorised or linked to any casino project.
