The arrival of the new 112-metre Deltin casino vessel at Mormugao Port has once again raised serious concerns among Goans. Built at an estimated cost of Rs400 crore and designed for 2,000 passengers, this massive ship may soon enter the Mandovi River, increasing pressure on our fragile river ecosystem. People are worried that this move will encourage other casino operators to bring even larger vessels into Goa’s waters. While the government speaks of rules and permissions, citizens feel this is nothing but an eye-wash. Public concerns over river safety, environment, and Goa’s identity continue to be ignored. Goans are left asking ” is protecting our rivers less important than casino profits? Development should not come at the cost of Goa’s environment and future generations.
