PANAJI (GOA): While the decision of shifting the existing off shore casinos vessels from river Mandovi seems to be a distant dream, the state government will on Tuesday grant permission to the sixth offshore casino vessel M V Luck Seven, promoted by Golden Globe Hotel Pvt Ltd, owned by former Harayana Minister Gopal Kanda in the river.

The state government on Monday informed the High Court that the permission to the sixth offshore casino vessel to anchor in river Mandovi will be granted on Tuesday.

The Captain of Ports (CoP) last month carried out a survey of the vessel under the jurisdiction of the Mormugao Port Trust following directions from the High Court, which is hearing the petition filed by the GGHPL. The survey found that the engine and the emergency evacuation mechanism of the vessel were fit for operations.

In its petition before the High Court, Golden Globe Hotels Private Limited had prayed for direction to the Goa government to allow the vessel to be moored in river Mandovi, which was stationed in the sea and was being damaged due to the monsoons and high saline content on the water.

The vessel has been waiting to enter river Mandovi since May 19 after the government decided to renew its license. GGHPL had revealed that the casino would be called Casino Maharaja.

Currently, there are five offshore casinos operational in Mandovi, of which, the two are operational by the Pride Group and Delta Corp operating the other three.

The then and current BJP government has been giving deadlines after deadlines to the casino operators to shift from the Mandovi, with the latest six month extension being granted in March this year.

Team TNV