Panaji: Delta Pleasure Cruises, a subsidiary of Delta Corp, anchored its 112-metre off-shore casino vessel at Mormugao Port Authority's (MPA) berth no. 4 on Wednesday. The vessel will remain docked at the port until it completes interior works, sea trials, and obtains necessary certifications.
Despite the arrival of the vessel, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that no new vessel will be allowed to operate in the Mandovi river. "I have said it clear-cut, we are not bringing in a new casino. The matter is over," said the chief minister when queried by reporters after the vessel entered Goan waters.
The vessel is expected to remain at the port throughout the monsoons and until the Captain of Ports department grants it permission to enter the Mandovi. "They have not given us a fixed timeline but they said that they want to stay here for the monsoons and till they get all the certifications. We have given them permission with certain conditions. We have said that the vessel has to be adequately manned at all times. We have checked the fire-fighting equipment, the vessel's engines are operational," said a senior MPA official.
The new off-shore casino vessel arrived from Udupi, Karnataka, and was accompanied by at least two tugboats as it entered the Mormugao harbour. The vessel was built at Waterways Shipyard Private Limited, a shipyard that is a sister concern of Delta Pleasure Cruises.
In June 2021, Delta Pleasure Cruises entered into a Rs 320 crore shipbuilding contract with Waterways Shipyard for construction of the 112-metre-long vessel. The contract was later revised to Rs 400 crore, excluding taxes. "This new casino vessel is in its advanced stages of completion and once completed and inducted into the Mandovi it is expected to further strengthen the company's presence in Goa's live gaming ecosystem. It is in the interest of the company that the vessel is ready for operations soon," said Delta Corp to its investors in March.
The Bombay High Court at Goa is hearing a public interest litigation filed by the Enough is Enough (EIE) movement. Port officials are also slightly apprehensive about the vessel's presence at the berth. "After Nu Shi Nalini, the port is very concerned and cautious about vessels during the monsoons," said a port official.
