Panaji (Goa): In most probability, the M V San Domino floating vessel (Maharaja Casino) will be alloted the Panaji port jetty next week to begin its operations on temporary basis.
The vessel has been taken on lease by Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd for six months, as its very own vessel M V Lucky 7 is in the Cochin dock yard undergoing major repairs.
“The company has paid annual fees to the government and arrears of Rs 54 crores for Lucky 7. Company is not being alloted any new vessel in River Mandovi but it is using the existing one, for which a jetty will be alloted as per high court directions,” said an officer.
The company had moved the High Court of Bombay at Goa seeking directions to the government to allot a jetty. The division bench of Justices N M Jamdar and Prithviraj Chavan directed the State government to do so after the Advocate General during the hearing this week assured to issue necessary orders within one week.
“It is clear that the State Government has decided to allot a Jetty in respect of vessel M V San Domino. Learned Advocate General on instructions states that necessary orders will be issued to the Petitioner within a period of one week. We accept this statement,” the bench ordered.
Now with all permissions in hand, the Golden Globe is set to begin it’s venture in Goan waters and Captain of Ports Department has begun looking out of jetties. While three jetties belonging to the department at Panaji, Britona and Old Goa are identified, sources said Panaji is most likely to be on the final list.
“The Panaji jetty might be alloted purely on touch and go basis to transport passengers. Other casinos are using this jetty on this condition. However a final decision is yet to be taken because two other jetties are also on list wherein old Goa is recently renovated,” a government official said.
Maharaja is the sixth and till date the last casino granted permission to operate in River Mandovi whereas Lucky 7 is the second casino in Goa. However, due to permission glitches the Maharaja, parked close to Verem, remained non-operational from 2009 till date while Lucky 7 suffered other problems followed by a major breakdown during its towing operation in July this year.
