Complex will now be repurposed to accommodate airport offices
VASCO
In a surprising turn of events, the long-anticipated Multi-Level Car Parking (MLCP) facility at Goa International Airport at Dabolim has been scrapped for its intended purpose.
Sources have confirmed to The Goan that the three-storeyed complex, which was constructed at a staggering cost of Rs 50 crore in 2017 and had been vacant ever since, will now be repurposed to accommodate the various offices at the Dabolim Airport.
The scrapping of the MLCP facility marks the end of a project fraught with challenges and delays.
THE PROJECT
The MLCP project was intended to alleviate the growing parking challenges at the airport.
The initial plan for the MLCP included the creation of a pay-parking zone for as many as 400 vehicles, with specific areas outside the airport marked as no-parking zones. The basement of the facility was designated for motorcycle parking.
During the project's early days, officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had assured the public that the MLCP was nearing completion, with only a few final touches remaining.
The AAI had even maintained that the commercial bidding process had started and that, a contractor would be appointed for managing the facility. AAI officials had even projected July 2019 to begin operations.
Even in May 2022, the AAI had stated that the MLCP project had finally received the clearances and the faculty would be operational once there was additional manpower provided to airport and a CISF security force manning the airport.
THE HURDLES
Despite the ambitious plans, the MLCP project encountered significant obstacles and remained non-operational ever since it was completed.
Issues surrounding security clearances from airport security agencies and other logistical hurdles prevented the facility from becoming functional.
Efforts to commercialise the facility through a bidding processes were also unsuccessful, with no contractor willing to take on the management of the parking complex.
THE OPTIONS
As Dabolim airport continues its expansion plans, the focus has now shifted to repurposing existing infrastructure and ensuring that the needs of passengers and airport operations are met efficiently.
With the MLCP facility officially scrapped, top officials at Goa Airport have confirmed that the building will now be repurposed to house the airport’s administrative offices.
The current office building is slated for demolition as part of the airport’s expansion plans, to convert the space into a parking bay for aircraft.
“The MLCP project has been dropped, and it will now become the office of Goa Airport. The old parking facility complex has been cancelled and will be used as our office. As part of the expansion works, the present office building will be demolished and converted into a parking bay for aircraft,” an official from Goa Airport told The Goan.
In light of the scrapping of the MLCP project, the airport authorities have developed other parking areas near Shantinagar.
Additionally, discussions are ongoing with the Navy to develop more areas for airport parking.
Despite the setbacks, Dabolim airport authorities remain optimistic about addressing the parking needs through these alternative solutions.
