Team Herald
VASCO: The Casino vessel that was anchored at Chicalim bay in River Zuari has been removed within 48 hours of Herald reporting the issue. The vessel is now anchored inside the Mormugao Port area.
The Chicalim villagers along with NGOs and others had raised strong objection to the anchoring of the casino vessel at Chicalim bay, known for its marine biodiversity.
It was also highlighted that Chicalim based citizens group had written letters to MPT, Captain of Ports, Mormugao deputy collector and even to the chief secretary registering their strong objection to anchoring of casino vessel at Chicalim bay, and demanding its immediate removal from there.
Thus, following Herald report, the authorities concerned swung into action and directed the vessel owners to immediately shift the vessel.
“Actually the vessel owner wanted to take up some repairs of the vessel and thus had anchored the vessel at Chicalim bay as another vessel owned by same party was undergoing repairs in a yard at Chicalim. Thus, taking cognizance of the objection raised by the villagers and NGOs, we told the vessel owner that we would provide them space/berths for anchoring the vessel in our port area by paying our charges, but the vessel should not be anchored at Chicalim bay as it is creating problems unnecessarily. Therefore, following the directions issued by us, the vessel has been removed and is now anchored in our port area,” said MPT Chairman I Jeyakumar.
