PANAJI
Goa's Captain of Ports Octavio Rodrigues has defended the permissions granted to Delta Corp for replacing one of its casino vessels anchored in the Mandovi with a larger ship.
Rodrigues said the proposed vessel falls within approved capacity limits and has all required licences. He added that the department will soon launch a digital application to monitor footfalls in real time, ensuring transparency and adherence to permitted norms across all casino vessels.
His comments came even as protests mounted against the casino expansion.
On Wednesday, women’s collective Bailancho Saad demanded the removal of all casinos from Goa.
At a meeting held on Monday at the Institute Piedade Hall in the city, Bailancho Saad and allied organisations passed a resolution calling for three measures: removal of all casinos, repeal of the amendment to the Goa Gambling Prevention Act that permits casinos, and stopping the new vessel from anchoring in the Mandovi.
The resolution was signed by Bailancho Ekvott, Jan Ugahi, Deepanjali Trust, UROOJ, Jawahar Bal Manch, Domestic Workers Union Forum, Jamaiti Islami Hind’s women’s wing, and the Goa Muslim Women’s Association, among others.
Speakers highlighted social and civic problems linked to casinos, including rising violence, debt, crime, drugs and alcohol addiction, trafficking, sexual harassment, and unsafe public spaces.
One participant recalled joining an anti‘casino rally while pregnant, saying her son is now 21 and “we are still fighting for our children’s safe future.” The resolution will be sent to the Chief Minister, with groups pledging to join collective efforts to remove casinos, the statement said.
Meanwhile, a citizens’ group styling itself Ponjekars Against Casinos also met Rodrigues on Wednesday to raise concerns over the larger vessel. Rodrigues reiterated that the department’s monitoring system will ensure compliance and crowd management across all casino operations.
