PANAJI
Amid mounting political controversy over the future of Dabolim airport, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday firmly dismissed Opposition allegations that the Union government is planning to shut down civilian operations at the facility and termed the claims as “baseless” and “politically motivated”.
Speaking to media, Sawant asserted that Dabolim airport will continue to function permanently for both civilian and naval operations. “Every time elections are round the corner, the Opposition tries to create an issue. Let me make it clear, Dabolim airport will not be shut. It will continue for civilian and naval use permanently. The Opposition needs to understand that Dabolim airport is not an election issue anymore,” the Chief Minister said.
Sawant further stated that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had already assured continuity of civil operations at Dabolim and that the decision to maintain dual airports in Goa was taken by the Union Cabinet before the commencement of operations at Manohar International Airport in Mopa.
“Goa will continue to have two airports. Let us not fall for Opposition claims. Some people have no other topics and are trying to create news,” he added.
He accused South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes of making “baseless statements” outside Parliament for political mileage. “Parliament is a holy temple for legislators and should be used for constructive matters. Just to increase his political weightage, he is making such statements. This should not happen,” Sawant said.
Highlighting the government’s financial commitment, Sawant said nearly Rs 450 crore is being spent on a flyover to ease access to the airport, while between Rs 300–400 crore has been spent directly on airport infrastructure over the past five years. “After spending so much money through the Civil Aviation Ministry, it is not to hand it over exclusively to the Navy. People should stop spreading misinformation,” he said.
The controversy erupted after Minister & Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho accused the GMR – operating MIA of pressurising and lobbying the Indian Navy to take over the Dabolim airport.
Opposition parties intensified their attack, alleging that the Union Government was planning to shut Dabolim Airport and hand it over to corporate interests. They claimed the move would severely impact South Goa’s tourism-driven economy. Leaders warned of large-scale protests if any attempt is made to curtail civilian operations at Dabolim, maintaining that the dual-use airport is critical for both civil aviation and defence needs.
South Goa MP claimed that the State government had given consent to the Centre to shut down Dabolim Airport for commercial and civil operations, terming it a “shocking betrayal” of Goans. He said he had received confidential information in this regard.
In a letter dated February 12 to Rajnath Singh, Fernandes urged the Defence Ministry to ensure continuity of civil operations at Dabolim. He recalled that during the tenure of the United Progressive Alliance government under chairperson Sonia Gandhi and then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a Cabinet decision had been taken to keep civil aviation operations functional at both Dabolim and Mopa airports.
