NGT Panel to Inspect Goa`s Casino Vessels on October 14

The floating casinos of Goa seem to be attracting more than their fair share of controversy, the latest issue being related to environment. At present there are five off shore casinos in Goa, all moored on the Mandovi River. Four of these are functional.

Citing river pollution, the Pune bench of NGT (National Green Tribunal) had issued an interim order to restrict all the offshore casinos from throwing waste into the Mandovi River. A ban on any new casinos being set up in the river was also imposed simultaneously.

A petition from social activist Sudip Tamhankar spurred the NGT to issue the orders.

The interim order also mentioned that the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) is required to intervene and prevent the casinos from dumping garbage and ‘hazardous waste’ into the river. The next hearing on the matter was scheduled on Sep 30. Meanwhile, the state government was required to present a status report on the pollution caused by casino vessels in the river as well as measures adapted to check the damage to the environment.

The NGT has proposed that the casino vessels be examined by a panel that consists of the director of National Institute of Technology or his nominee, one representative of the state environment department, director of National Institute of Oceanography or his nominee, Captain of Ports and member secretary of GSPCB.

The committee will inspect how these casinos manage sewage treatment and discharge the garbage they generate. The committee will also examine the sewerage treatment plant (STP) located at Tonca. The next inspection is due on October 14.

Levinson Martins, member secretary of GSPCB, filed an affidavit before the NGT, which said“I state that on finalization of the report of inspection by the committee, the same will submitted to the tribunal by the board (Goa state pollution control board)”. GSPCB also submitted a synopsis of the actions it took to monitor the condition of consents it issued to casino vessels that are operating on the river. The affidavit also mentions that the board examined the sewerage treatment plant at Tonca and submitted a detailed report about the same to the NGT.

In a previous instance, the NGT had stated that the government authorities have failed to fall in line with directions about the improvement of STP and management of solid waste generated by the casinos. The board was directed to prepare and submit a site inspection report to the NGT once every four months.