Delta Corp Limited has finally received the environment clearance from the Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) for their Rs 3000 crore casino-integrated township project at Dhargalim, Pernem.

The project was approved by the state government in October last year, subsequently requiring the SEIAA’s approval. For the purpose, the project was recommended to SEIAA by the Goa State Expert Appraisal Committee in June this year.

“After scrutinising and perusing the documents submitted by the project proponent and considering recommendation by the Goa-SEAC (State Expert Appraisal Committee), the authority decided to grant environment clearance to the proposal,” said the Goa SEIAA as quoted by The Times of India.

The resort-cum-casino project project spans across 90 acres of land near Mopa airport in north Goa and includes three hotels, a cinema hall, a convention centre, a shopping area, banquet facilities, a water park and a kids’ play area.

The Goa SEIAA put out a list of conditions and activities that had to be carried out by Delta Corp under corporate environmental responsibility (CER).

“As per office memorandum issued by the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change dated May 1, 2018, some of the activities which can be carried out under CER are infrastructure creation for drinking water supply, sanitation, health, education, skill development, roads, cross drains, and electrification including solar power,” the statement said.

SEIAA also instructed the casino operator to construct a biogas plant and ensure proper e-waste management. Furthermore, it also instructed that borewell water should only be used for drinking purposes and not construction.

The project have seen multiple delays over the last few years including objections from various citizen groups, with the latest one from NGO Bailancho Saad. But now with the green signal received from the environment authority, the project is now ready to be implemented. It is expected to be completed by 2027.