Panaji: Saligao MLA Kedar Naik has feigned ignorance regarding the arrival of Delta Corp’s 112-metre-long offshore casino vessel. He firmly insisted that the vessel will not be anchored at Verem, which falls within his constituency. Naik stated that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has given him an assurance that the vessel will not enter the Mandovi river for the time being.
MLA's Assurance from CM
“I will stand by my words. The chief minister has said that the boat will not come to Verem. The chief minister’s oral assurance is an assurance,” said Naik. He made these remarks while speaking at the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) office.
Ports Department Plans
However, the captain of ports department has already set a plan in motion to moor the new vessel at Verem. This move is intended to replace the MV Horseshoe, which was moved closer to the Panaji river bank to accommodate the larger vessel. The MV Horseshoe, in turn, will take the place of the Deltin’s Dolphin casino, which has already moved out of the Mandovi river.
The situation highlights the ongoing developments in Goa's casino industry, with stakeholders closely monitoring the movements of these vessels. Naik's statements come amid growing concerns from local residents and environmental groups about the impact of offshore casinos on the region.
