Panaji: Even as the process has been set in motion to relocated the off shore casino vessels from River Mandovi, State Ports Minister Michael Lobo on Tuesday that the existing casinos would be granted the extension till the policy comes in reality.
The six months extension granted by State cabinet for all the six off shore casinos to operate in River Mandovi expires on September 30. The Extension of six months was granted by then Chief minister Manohar Parrikar in March, 2019.
Lobo said that the State cabinet would be granting extension for the off shore casinos to operate in the River Mandovi till “new policy doesn’t come into reality.”
He said that the casinos are part of tourism industry and they would be now relocated to another location out of River Mandovi.
The minister said that his department of port has began conducting feasibility study to relocate the off shore casinos to Aguada side of the river. “In next two days the feasibility study will be conducted and the report would be produced before government by next week,” he said.
Lobo said that the safety of the passengers travelling on these vessels will be of paramount importance.
He stated that one Casino vessel has agreed to shift immediately to new location, once it is identified, while others will follow it in due course of time.
