Panaji: A site inspection conducted by the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) in connection with Delta Pleasure Cruise Company Pvt. Ltd.’s proposal to operate a new vessel, M.V. Deltin Royale, in the Mandovi River has highlighted key environmental concerns and data gaps, according to documents accessed under the RTI Act.

RTI activist Sudip Tamhankar who is following up the matter has now received report of The inspection, carried out on June 23, 2025, by GCZMA Expert Member Dr. Sushant S. Naik along with Engineer Keshav Naik and Field Surveyor Vignesh Naik, examined the proposed replacement of the existing vessel M.V. Royale Flotel (PNJ-780) with the larger M.V. Deltin Royale (PNJ-1008).

Larger Vessel Proposed in CRZ-IVB Zone
The proposed vessel is to be anchored in the Mandovi River, which falls under CRZ-IVB as per the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2011. The new vessel is significantly larger, with a length of 112 metres, breadth of 28 metres, and a total height of 26.5 metres up to Level 5, comprising five levels above the baseline.

Concerns Over River Health and Cumulative Impact
The report notes that the Mandovi River already hosts several casino vessels and is one of Goa’s major rivers, making its ecological health critical. Authorities have cautioned that the addition of a larger vessel—even as a replacement—could have cumulative environmental impacts if not carefully managed.

Lack of Baseline Environmental Data Flagged
A key concern raised in the inspection report is the absence of adequate baseline data at the exact proposed location. While the applicant submitted a Rapid Environmental Assessment report with water quality data from eight locations, officials pointed out that no sampling was conducted at the specific site where the new vessel is proposed to be anchored, except near Santa Monica Jetty.

The report recommends that water and sediment quality data at the proposed site should be collected and used as a baseline for assessing future environmental impact.

Height Disclosure Incomplete
The inspection also noted that while the applicant provided details up to Level 5, the total height of the vessel, including the open deck above Level 5, was not clearly specified in the drawings. Authorities have recommended that complete height details be submitted.

Final Decision Pending
The report concludes by stating that the authority may deliberate and take a decision, indicating that clearance is not automatic and subject to further scrutiny.

The findings assume significance amid ongoing concerns over the environmental impact of casino operations in the Mandovi River and regulatory oversight under CRZ norms.