Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Nov 26: Ports minister Michael Lobo said that the offices and operations of the six offshore casinos will be shifted to the tourism department's river cruise jetty in a bid to decongest the city's arterial road, DB Marg. A plan will be worked out by Captain of Ports (CoP) and Corporation of City Panaji (CCP) and the plan will be presented to the government for approval.

Lobo added that the firm would have to bear the cost of shifting their premises. Currently, 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 to dicuss the traffic chaos and jams along DB Marg because of parked tourist vehicles along the road. Panaji MLA Atanasio Monserrate and Lobo discussed the matter. CCP commissioner Sanjit Rodrigues, mayor Uday Madkaikar, and Captain of Ports James Braganza were present at the meeting.