MARGAO
Aam Aadmi Party Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas warned that people of Goa, by keeping aside their political and ideological differences, will hit the streets if any attempt is made to close Dabolim.
He demanded a white paper from the double-engine BJP government to reassure the people of Goa that Dabolim will not be shut down and handed over to the corporates entering the defence sector.
Addressing the media, Venzy reminded that the Dabolim airport has been the lifeline not only of the people of South Goa, but North Goa as well.
“Livelihoods of thousands of people, be they taxi drivers, small, medium and large hoteliers and others depend on the Dabolim airport. We had repeatedly raised the issue in the Goa Legislative Assembly how attempts were being made in the last four years to systematically close down Dabolim airport. What we had received from the government were only assurance and assurances that Dabolim will not be shut down,” he said.
Saying that corporate friends of BJP have now gone into the defence sector, Venzy said the government seemed to have drawn up plans to shut down Dabolim and hand over the airport to the corporates.
“We will not allow this to happen. The people of Goa will block the airport if any attempt is made to hand over the same to the corporates,” he added.
