MARGAO
Asserting that Mopa airport is a blessing for Goa, South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha on Thursday, however, said that Dabolim airport should remain forever in the State.
At a media briefing, the MP said that while Mopa will be a blessing for Goa, for international flights and handling cargo, he said that Dabolim airport should be forever used for domestic flights.
He pointed out that he had initially said no to Mopa since he was under the impression that two airports cannot coexist within a distance of 100 kilometres. “But central aviation officials returned to the State after two months to prove that two airports can coexist within 100 kilometres. It was only then that I had given my nod for Mopa,” he said.
Sardinha recalled that he and then Congress CM Digambar Kamat had called on then Aviation Minister Praful Patel and got the Centre sanction Rs 500 crore for the upgradation of Dabolim airport. Another additional Rs 100 crore was later sanctioned by the Centre to tone up the infrastructure, he said.
