Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho on Wednesday said he had received a clear and categorical assurance from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh that Dabolim Airport will never be closed for civilian operations.
Godinho said the assurance was given during a recent meeting in Delhi, which he attended along with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Addressing the media, Godinho said the issue was taken up directly with the Defence Minister to clear doubts being spread regarding the future of Dabolim Airport.
He said the chief minister submitted a written memorandum to Rajnath Singh stating that under no circumstances should Dabolim Airport be stopped for civilian operations.
According to Godinho, Singh questioned what led them to believe that the Navy was planning to take over Dabolim Airport completely.
“At that point, I intervened and informed him that we had reports of a meeting involving the Naval Chief and the Union Civil Aviation Minister, where the Navy had placed its view that civilian operations could be shifted to Mopa. I made it clear that we want Dabolim Airport to continue,” Godinho said.
He said Rajnath Singh categorically denied any such move.
“The Defence Minister told us very clearly that such a decision cannot happen without his knowledge and that he will never allow Dabolim Airport to be closed for civilian operations,” Godinho said.
Godinho further said that Rajnath Singh has called him again for a follow-up meeting along with Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade.
“He said he will convene a meeting of all stakeholders, including the Naval Chief, to put this issue to rest once and for all. Though there is no proposal as of now, he wants to remove the fear from the minds of people of Goa, especially South Goa,” he said.
AIRPORT ISSUES
Godinho said he also raised operational issues at Dabolim Airport.
“I informed the Defence Minister about the NOTAM period during which civilian flights are not allowed between 8.30 am and 12.30 pm. This is a prime time. I gave examples of other defence airports where defence flights operate on one side while a dedicated corridor is kept open for civilian aircraft,” he said.
He added that even a partial relaxation of the NOTAM hours could help increase civilian flights at Dabolim.
“If even two hours are relaxed, more flights can operate from Dabolim,” he said.
Godinho said he had also earlier taken up the issue with the Union Civil Aviation Minister.
“I urged him to authorise the Airports Authority of India to function like a private entity with flexibility and offer concessions to airline operators, similar to what is being done by GMR at Mopa. This will ensure a healthy balance of flights between Dabolim and Mopa and help Goa grow as a tourist destination with both airports functioning,” he said.
