The problem with the Defence Expo is that is it an exciting idea badly sold by the local government and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is the chief promoter of the event. Consequently, misconceptions, doubts and suspicion crept in and the issue is now threatening to blow up in the face of the government with locals planning a meet at Quepem on December 4.
One of the chief questions is, will Naqueri-Quitol, where about 150 acres of land has been earmarked for the three-day event is going to be a permanent venue? Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has asserted that the Defence Expo would be held there in March 2016, but placed a question mark over subsequent editions. The expo is held once in two years and the last one held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi in 2014 drew participation of 232 foreign companies and 32 from the country. Space booked grew by over 12 per cent and about 63 delegations from 58 nations attended the event. This is Indian only international defence expo and by any standards it is a huge event. Land, naval and internal homeland security systems will be on display at the expo. This means loads of equipment will have to be transported back and forth in March next year. There was speculation that the aero show would also be a part of the event, but that is highly unlikely because that event is held on odd years at the Air Force field in Bengaluru. However, reports on construction of a runway at Naqueri have raised fears that the aero show would also be shifted here. The State and Central governments need to clear the air on this issue.
On the flip side, this could be an opportunity to develop 150 acres of largely, barren land at Naqueri at no cost to the local government. This could be a once in a life-time chance to build the necessary infrastructure for holding international exhibitions and therefore raise the profile of Goa. Pragati Maidan where the Defence Expo is otherwise held is today a vast complex of grounds, theatres, exhibition complexes and halls. This maidan, inaugurated by Indira Gandhi in 1972, plays host to the international trade fair which draws 10,000 exhibitors and 30 lakh visitors. The World Book Fair and Asia's largest auto show are also held here.
In a way, Parrikar is dreaming big for South Goa, this time. As chief minister in 2004 he brought the International Film Festival of India to Goa which brought an infrastructural upgrade for Panaji, introduced Goa to the multiplex culture, revived the the local film industry and gave Goans the opportunity to experience the film culture of several nations. The question is, can the Defence Expo do for South Goa, what IFFI did for Panaji?
Huge projects naturally breed suspicion and people in Naqueri and Betul are worried because they have no clue about the nature of the project. Nobody thought it important to brief them about the consequences and benefits. Nobody took them into confidence. The Defence Expo will impact on the tourism industry and yet there is no consensus if this project will be good or detrimental to Goa. If the State government believes that the project will be beneficial, then it has to explain this to the people. Large projects have to be marketed and Goa needs to be convinced before a final decision is taken.
