PANAJI
Finding itself in fix over identifying an alternate site for relocation of offshore casino vessels from River Mandovi, the Goa government is likely to ask casino operators to look for a feasible location and shift.
The government in December, last year, granted a final extension till March 2027 for casinos to continue their operations in River Mandovi.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had said that casinos must relocate from the Mandovi River by March 2027, as it marks the end of their final extension.
Highly placed sources confirmed that the government is considering directing casino operators to identify a feasible site and submit proposal for their relocation. “The government had identified four possible sites in the past but all faced public objection. So now, it’s better that casino operators themselves look for an alternate site,” sources said.
The then BJP-led government had taken a policy decision in 2013 to relocate the offshore casinos from River Mandovi. However, the failure to identify an alternative site forced the government to grant them a series of extensions to continue in the river since March, 2014.
There are six offshore casinos operating in River Mandovi; namely MV Horseshoe Casino, MV Pride of Goa, MV Casino Royale, MV Argosy IV, MV Royale Flotel, and MV Lucky.
Sources confirmed that till date, the government has not issued any directions to the Home department or Captain of Ports (CoP) to initiate fresh process for identification of alternate site.
Way back in 2018-19, the State government through home department along with Captain of Ports (CoP) had tentatively identified four sites to relocate the offshore casinos, including the mouth of the Mandovi river near Aguada jail, another two alternative locations in Zuari river -- one to the east of the bridge and the other west of the bridge, and the last option being Chapora river.
Sources said that the notice was issued inviting objections from the public to any of the proposed sites, and several were received from individuals as well as village panchayats who strongly objected the government move. “The government had to ultimately drop the plan on ground that the sites were found to be technically not feasible,” sources said.
It was then BJP-led government’s election promise in 2012 to shift the casinos out of River Mandovi. Also, in his manifesto during the 2019 Panaji by-election, MLA Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate said he would remove the offshore casinos from the river within 100 days of getting elected as Panaji MLA.
