Propose alternate locations,casinos told
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JULY 6
The ball is now in the court of casino operators who have their vessels operating within city limits of Mandovi River.
The Bombay High Court at Goa on Tuesday asked casino operators to submit their suggestions to Captain of Ports (CoP) about possible alternate location for operating their floating casinos.
The six casino operators of floating casinos are before High Court who were served notices by the State Government to shift at Aguada Bay on ground that their casinos were posing navigational hazard.
Six floating casinos – Maharajah, Caravela, Leela, Casino Royale, Arabian Sea King and Pride of Goa are currently operating in the Mandovi River after obtaining stay on government’s order.
When the matter came up for hearing before a Division Bench of Justices A S Oka and F M Reis today morning, the lawyers appearing on behalf of the casino operators told the court that they would like to suggest suitable locations for operation of floating casinos that would not cause any navigational hazard to other vessels operating in the river, they submitted.
The State Government has stuck to its stand that the Mandovi river forms a navigational channel while and these casino vessels pose a serious navigational hazard to barges, trawlers and pleasure cruises operating in the river.
The Division Bench has also directed casino operators to approach the CoP within two weeks with their suggestions. The court will hear the petition further on August 4.
