PANJIM: The Congress has strongly objected to the sites proposed by the government to relocate the offshore casinos claiming that the vessels in these waters will destroy the peace of the villages.
Addressing the media, GPCC spokesperson Agnelo Fernandes said the government is not concerned about the livelihood of the poor especially the traditional fishermen and water sports operators who will be badly affected by the relocation. The government has identified Aguada Bay, and Rivers Zuari and Chapora as the possible new sites for the casinos.
“We strongly object and condemn the decision of the State government to relocate casinos in villages of Goa. Panjim and River Mandovi are already ruined by casinos,” Fernandes said. He warned the government not to relocate casinos to peaceful villages that would be harmed by the move and where local youth would be attracted to gambling.
Candolim Sarpanch Sandra Fialho said Candolim villagers will protest till the government withdraws Aguada Bay as a relocation site for the casinos. She said that the narrow roads and other infrastructure of the village would not be able to cater to the casino traffic. She also stated that casinos will ruin the villages and they are against casinos in Candolim.
Candolim panchayat member Fermino Fernandes said the necessary infrastructure and jetty that will have to be created to handle casinos will lead to erosion of the hill on which stands the Aguada fort and demanded that Goa Biodiversity Board and NIO study the implications.
