Residents cite safety and pollution concerns, say vessel lacks key clearances; operations put on hold
PANAJI
A new offshore casino vessel is poised to begin operations on the River Mandovi, with its proposed mooring point located behind the Hanuman Temple at Reis Magos. However, the process of positioning the vessel has been temporarily halted following opposition from residents.
Documents accessed under the Right to Information Act reveal that the Captain of Ports decided to issue an “in-principle temporary mooring NOC” to the vessel, identified as Y-178, owned by M/s Delta Pleasure Cruise Company Pvt Ltd.
Activist Sudip Tamankar, who obtained the documents, claimed that the new vessel has been brought in as a replacement for M V Royale Flotel under a proposed shift in mooring positions. As per the proposal, M V Horseshoe Casino would move to the mooring of M V Casino Royale, M V Casino Royale would shift to that of M V Royale Flotel, and the new vessel Y-178 would take the original mooring position in the river.
Tamankar pointed out that an earlier proposal was rejected in accordance with a government circular dated July 18, 1996, which restricts vessels above 90 metres in length from entering the Mandovi without prior clearance. The new vessel, according to shipbuilder records obtained under RTI, measures around 120 metres. “The government had earlier rejected the proposal. Now the same proposal has been revived through a new file, overlooking the vessel size restrictions and safety concerns,” he alleged, while submitting a representation to the Captain of Ports.
He further claimed that the project lacks mandatory clearances from the Goa State Pollution Control Board and that no report has been sought from the Goa Biodiversity Board, despite the ecological sensitivity of the stretch. Tamankar further alleged the casino’s operation would generate sound and water pollution, impacting livelihoods of local fishermen and shellfish gatherers. “This will disturb the biodiversity of the area. The livelihood of villagers in Reis Magos is at direct risk,” he added.
Local opposition has already led to the suspension of preparatory work at the site. Tamankar also alleged that while the department verified mooring coordinates and buoy positioning using GPS, detailed assessments related to technical feasibility, navigational safety, and dredging requirements were not thoroughly conducted. “Launching new floating casinos will create a man-made disaster in the Mandovi and pose navigational hazards,” he asserted.
The vessel is understood to be registered as M V Delhi Royale (O.P. No. PNJ-3000) and is currently awaiting final docking arrangements.
New vessel a replacement, all permissions obtained: Govt
PANAJI: The State government has confirmed the arrival of a new offshore casino vessel, clarifying that it is a replacement for the M V Royale Flotel, and not an additional vessel being introduced in River Mandovi.
Government sources dismissed allegations that permissions were bypassed. Officials informed The Goan that all necessary approvals, including those for the mooring location, are in place. “The government granted permission to the vessel in 2022 based on a proposal submitted by the owner in 2019. The mooring position was approved in 2023, following which the vessel was allotted the Reis Magos location,” a senior official said.
The vessel, constructed at a shipyard in Udupi, holds an IRS Class certificate. The sources stated that the operator has already paid Rs 6.39 crore to the government over the last two years towards mooring fees, even though the vessel is yet to be positioned in the river. The delay, the official clarified, is due to ongoing opposition and protests from locals at Reis Magos.
