From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld News Network - Panaji (HB)

Panaji, Feb 20: The off-shore casino vessels seem to have missed the Supreme Court’s ban on the sale of liquor just by a whisker as they are 800 metres away from Mandovi bridge, which is on the National Highway.

State Excise Department which is currently mapping the liquor outlets all along the State and National Highways have said that casinos on River Mandovi are 800 metres away from the bridge, which is 300 metres more than the deadline of 500 metres.

Supreme Court in its recent directives has banned sale of liquor within 500 metres of the state and national highways. Goa excise department has began process to implement the order stating that all those covered by the Apex Court directives will not have their licences renewed after March 31, 2017.

“If any casino vessel is within 500 metres of the bridge we will not renew their excise licence. But as per google map, they are 800 metres away from the bridge on National Highway,” state excise commissioner Menino D’Souza said.

River Mandovi is a home for four off-shore casino vessels which are approachable by road crossing through Panaji city.

While casino vessels are saved from the SC directives, the cruise-boats which are ferrying the tourists will face the consequences.

“The boat cruises are located within 500 meters of the national highways (National Highway 17). Right now we have to go as per the law and licences will not be renewed beyond March 31,” he said.

There are four boat cruises operating on River Mandovi from Santa Monica jetty namely – GTDC Santa Monica, Madgavkar’s Paradise Cruise, Model’s Coral Cruises and another of former MLA Nirmala Sawant. The sunset cruises are permitted to serve liquor on board by the excise department.