Panaji citizens launch signature campaign against casinos

Panaji: Citizens at an awareness meeting organised by Ponjekars Against Casino called on the central government to immediately stop the entry of a 112-metre-long, 30-metre-high casino vessel with a capacity of 2,000 passengers, proposed as a replacement for Deltin’s 700-passenger capacity vessel in the Mandovi.

They launched a signature campaign after passing a resolution which seeking a halt to the vessel’s proposed entry, and also demanded immediate government action on casino operations in Panaji.

Dredging activities undertaken to accommodate larger vessels are affecting the marine ecosystem and traditional fishing livelihoods, the resolution stated, while also calling upon the state government to stop promoting the state as a gambling destination and to discontinue projecting Panaji as a “sin city”.

It sought a time-bound plan for the removal of casinos from the Mandovi river and across Goa. It further proposed rehabilitation packages for casino employees and alternative revenue models for businesses dependent on casino tourism, advocating a shift towards a family-oriented tourism model.

Patricia Pinto, a member of the movement and a Panaji resident, referred to documents relating to six casino vessels operating in the Mandovi. She cited figures concerning Royal Flo Hotel casino, stating that it declared 4,500 kg of monthly waste to the Pollution Control Board but delivered 40,000 kg to the Corporation of the City of Panaji. She also referred to impacts including fish spoilage affecting sales, traffic congestion and river pollution.

She read out a letter from retired Chief Justice Ferdinand Rebello opposing the proposed vessel. The letter referred to provisions of the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 and the Indian Ports Act, 1925, questioned the legal basis for casino operations in river waters instead of designated offshore areas, and sought disclosure of licensing agreements and pollution safeguards.

RTI activist Sudip Tamankar said documents obtained under the Right to Information Act showed that the vessel, linked to Delta Pleasure Cruise Pvt Ltd as a replacement for MV Royale Flotel, received clearance despite earlier rejections.

“This is concrete violation,” Tamankar said, calling for a halt, fresh environmental impact assessments and public scrutiny. He said the matter would be pursued legally and raised concerns about environmental impact. Environmental architect Elsa Fernandes said river governance required advance environmental planning and coordination among authorities.

“Environmental sensitive planning cannot be firefighting,” she said. Referring to contamination and microplastics in the Mandovi, she said, “We can’t be waiting for the death numbers to come on our table and then deciding that microplastics are bad for us.”

She said authorities including the Captain of Ports, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority and Pollution Control Board must be involved in river management.