Panaji (Goa): Finally, the sixth offshore casino vessel MV Lucky Seven is set to enter the congested River Mandovi with the Captain of Ports granting the permission to anchor off Campal beach.

The State government had submitted to the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Monday about granting the permission within 24 hours. On Tuesday evening, Captain James Braganza issued a notification in this regard.

The vessel is promoted by Golden Globe Hotel Private Limited (GGHPL), owned by the controversial former Haryana minister Gopal Kanda.

In its petition before the High Court, the company had prayed to direct 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.

Following direction from the High Court, officials of the Captain of Ports (CoP) had a week ago carried out a survey of the vessel under the jurisdiction of the Mormugao Port Trust. After the survey report, which was submitted to the CoP on June 21, it was found that the engine and the emergency evacuation mechanism of the vessel were fit for operations and as per directions from the court, the vessel was finally allowed to dock.

Team TNV