PANAJI: In an effort to decongest the city’s arterial road, D B Marg, the offices and operations of the six offshore casinos will be shifted to the tourism department’s river cruise jetty, said ports minister Michael Lobo on Monday. He added that the Captain of Ports (CoP) and the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) will work out a plan to shift the offshore casino offices and the plan will be put up before the government for approval.
Lobo further said that the firms will have to bear the cost of shifting their premises. At present, the offshore casino offices are housed in the CoP building and on the CoP jetty.
“We have come up with a solution that the entire activity should go to one place at the Santa Monica jetty and there is ample parking under the three bridges,” Lobo said.
A meeting was held at the mayor’s office where Lobo along with Panaji MLA Atanasio Monserrate discussed traffic chaos and jams along D B Marg because of tourist vehicles parked along the road. CCP commissioner Sanjit Rodrigues, mayor Uday Madkaikar and Captain of Ports James Braganza were present for the meeting.
“A lot of people who come for the cruise get mixed up with the casino customers and we have a problem as far as the road is concerned. They park their vehicles on the road and it becomes chaotic,” Monserrate said.
Monserrate is in favour of shifting the cruise vessels, along with the feeder boats for the offshore casinos, to the tourism department’s jetty.
“There is a multi-level car park. The rates should be reduced and all the vehicles should be parked there,” Lobo said.
The Panaji MLA said that once CCP and the CoP prepare a plan, the proposal will be shared with the chief minister for his approval. “This should be a hub for embarking and disembarking of passengers. A big lounge can be created and they can board the respective casinos,” Lobo said.