Goa Residents Rally Against New Casino Ship
Residents of Goa are expressing their outrage over the impending arrival of a new casino ship on the Mandovi River, set to dock by the end of February. This development comes amidst ongoing protests against a provision in the Town Planning Act that threatens green zones with construction. Local activists and citizens are raising concerns about the environmental impact and social disruption caused by the casino industry, which has long been a contentious issue in the state.
Growing Opposition to Casino Expansion
The new casino ship, measuring 112 meters in length and capable of accommodating 2,000 passengers, is being positioned as a replacement for the MV Royale Floatel, one of the existing offshore casinos. This vessel will be anchored in Verem Bay, directly across from central Panjim, where residents have already voiced their discontent. Goa currently hosts six offshore casinos and 18 land-based casinos in five-star hotels, leading to significant environmental degradation and social disruption.
Since 2008, Panjim residents and various civil society groups have protested against the casino industry, citing pollution of the Mandovi River and disturbances caused by late-night operations. Activists have documented the negative effects on marine ecology and the quality of life for local residents. The new ship’s capacity exceeds that of all five existing offshore casinos combined, raising alarms among community members who fear further ecological harm.
Despite the Goa government’s assurances that the number of casinos will not increase, the introduction of this larger vessel contradicts those claims. Activists, including Sudip Tamhankar, have been actively pursuing legal avenues to challenge the new ship’s arrival and its implications for the local environment. The “Enough is Enough” movement, led by retired Justice Ferdino Rebello, has also gained traction, advocating for the removal of casinos from the Mandovi River within six months to protect Goa’s cultural and ecological integrity.
