According to the Government of Goa, the state has about 555 km of inland waterways out of which only 255 km are navigable through the rivers Mandovi, Zuari and their tributaries. Panaji (Panjim) is the port city situated on the left bank of the Mandovi River in Goa and is one of India`s finest natural harbours. A June 2009 deadline for casino vessels to move from the Mandovi into Aguada Bay is long gone and the casino vessels remain in place despite their ‘offshore’ status, the owners challenging the decision through the High Court.

Yesterday the Cabinet agreed to a proposal made by casino owners to the Captain of Ports whereby they would relocate their vessels but to new berths on the Mandovi River. All seven operators are believed to support the move after initial resistance when the plan was first suggested by the state government. The relocation would mean the removal of three casino vessels to a new location beyond the two Mandovi bridges towards Ribandar, two to move to the Betim side of the river and two to the Panjim side. This should relieve some of the present river congestion.

Civil groups and opposition parties already are objecting to the scheme. Last month the government said the casino vessels were part of Goa’s tourism portfolio. However, many local people, including fishermen and women’s groups, still want the gambling to stop. With the situation as yet unresolved following the changes to the government’s regulations, some casinos are operating in ships that hold no sea-worthiness certificates and others have not had their licences renewed. (E-09.16.10)

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