Team Herald
VASCO: The Chairman of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT), I Jeyakumar, has clarified that the MPT so far has not received any official communication from the government on shifting of casinos to River Zuari.
Jeyakumar informed that a private party had applied to MPT for permission to construct a jetty and a floating hotel with casinos, however the MPT has refused the same.
The MPT chief said that the port jurisdiction extends up till the Zuari Bridge, however, other than reading in newspapers of the government’s plan of shifting casinos to River Zuari, till date he has not received any official communication from the government on the issue.
“We as government servants cannot allow or refuse anything until the government makes any policy decision on the issue of allowing casinos in our jurisdiction. We are here to implement the decisions and if the government asks us to allow casinos, then, we would follow the instruction. However, as per present port point of view, we have decided to deny any such permission for such casinos in our jurisdiction,” he said.
Replying to the query as to whether having casinos in River Zuari would affect barge movement or other inland water transport through river Zuari, he said, “There are two aspects to it: the first (relates to) operational and commercial feasibilities and the second to political feasibility… But we are not in position to give any comment on casinos as the policy decision is yet to be taken by the central government.”
Meanwhile, Gayatriraje Chowgule, who has offered to relocate the casinos in River Zuari near Chicalim, told reporters that the site suggested by her for relocating the casinos is the best, as “it is away from the village area and close to the airport.”
She said that she sent the proposal to the government also briefed Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar about the site for relocating the casinos.
“I feel that if the casinos are shifted to the site suggested by us, then, the same would also help in reducing traffic congestion towards Panjim. Because the players visiting these casinos would arrive at the Dabolim airport, go to the casinos and then go back without facing heavy traffic on the roads,” she said.
However, before considering her proposal, she said, the govt should take the local people and the panchayat bodies into confidence on shifting the casinos.
