The Bombay High Court has directed the Goa government to respond by Friday to a public interest litigation challenging the entry of a 2,000-capacity offshore casino vessel into the Mandovi river. The court, hearing arguments on Wednesday, questioned the navigation risks and legal basis for replacing a small 70-capacity vessel with one over ten times larger. This case highlights tensions between economic interests in Goa's gambling sector and concerns over river safety and regulatory compliance.
Court Probes Navigation and Scale Concerns
A division bench of Justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar raised pointed questions about the new vessel's ability to maneuver in the Mandovi during emergencies and whether it would obstruct the channel. The judges noted that substituting a vastly larger ship stretches the concept of mere replacement beyond reason and inquired about any length limits for vessels in the river. Set for further hearing on Monday, the case underscores potential hazards to maritime traffic in a busy waterway central to Panaji's transport and tourism.
Government Defends No-Objection Certificate Process
Advocate General Devidas Pangam assured the court that a detailed study preceded the October 2022 no-objection certificate, which solely authorizes vessel replacement under the Captain of Ports' purview. He distinguished this from gambling licensing, a matter for the home department, and clarified that Inland Vessels Act registration remains a standard administrative step. The government maintains these permissions align with existing protocols for Goa's offshore casino fleet, which has operated on the Mandovi since the early 2000s as a key revenue source amid tourism-driven economic policies.
Casino Operator and Petitioners Clash on Licensing
Representing Delta Pleasures Cruise Co Pvt Ltd, senior advocate Darius Khambata argued that 2022 permissions cleared the 112-meter vessel, en route from Udupi and due before mid-May due to seasonal rough waters. He emphasized no 90-meter length cap exists, with up to 120 meters permitted, and the ship will moor aside without blocking navigation. Petitioners' counsel S Muralidhar, for citizen group Enough is Enough, countered that the Public Gambling Act demands fresh licensing for such expansions, revealed absent via RTI queries, and urged halting the vessel's journey.
Broader Stakes for Goa's Casino Economy and Regulation
Goa's offshore casinos, floating platforms anchored in the Mandovi, generate substantial state revenue but face ongoing scrutiny for environmental impact, public nuisance, and uneven regulation. This dispute revives debates on whether vessel upgrades require full public disclosure and gambling approvals, potentially setting precedents for fleet modernization. As the vessel nears, the court's intervention could enforce stricter oversight, balancing fiscal benefits against riverine safety and legal transparency in a sector vital to the state's identity.
