Team Herald
Porvorim: Strong resentment is brewing among the residents of Reis Magos over the delay in shifting the casino ship anchored at Betim Jetty to the new Panjim Jetty. The fishing community is furious and contemplating an agitation if the government does not fulfill their demand of shifting the casino.
The residents had staged two dharnas – one near the Betim ferry wharf on June 4, 2008, and the other at Verem market on June 28, 2008 – to impress upon the government the need to shift the casinos from the Mandovi River, but in vain.
A Reis Magos resident, who is a government servant, on the condition of anonymity, mentioned that several tourists visit the casino ship at Betim Jetty. He continued, “Many cars and tourist buses come at the same time to Betim in the evening, resulting in traffic congestion. Also, the noise created by the ship stationed in Mandovi River has disturbed the peace and the ecology of Reis Magos.
He further said, “Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar had assured the residents of Reis Magos that the ship would be moved out once the new jetty at Panjim is ready. Even thought the new jetty has been inaugurated, there is no sign of shifting the casino to Panjim.”
A reliable source from the Captain of Ports revealed that the CoP had already written a letter to the Tourism Department regarding the shifting of the casino ship to Panjim Jetty.
Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar has confirmed that he received the letter. He stated, “This ship will be shifted to the Tourism Department jetty in Panjim. But the problem is that the work of third Mandovi Bridge is in progress near the jetty. Hence, right now it is not possible to shift the casino vessel. As soon as the work is over, it will be shifted to Panjim jetty definitely.”
