MAPUSA
Even as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the Indian Racing Festival will be held at the proposed Goa Street Circuit at Manohar International Airport, Mopa, the two MLAs representing Pernem taluka on Sunday said they were unaware of the event.
The motorsport event, branded as the “Goa Street Race”, is scheduled to be held over two days on February 14 and 15, according to the Chief Minister’s announcement on social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).
The event is part of the Indian Racing Festival 2026, featuring Formula 4 races.
Pernem MLA Pravin Arlekar said he had no information about the proposed racing event.
“I don’t know anything about this,” Arlekar told this reporter, assuring that he would seek details and revert. However, he did not respond later.
Similarly, Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar said he came to know about the event only after seeing posts on social media.
“I am totally blank about this festival. I learnt about it from a tweet circulating in the local media,” Arolkar said.
Arolkar said he was unaware of the exact location of the proposed Goa Street Circuit but assumed it would be within the airport premises.
“There is no large open ground outside. So if it is happening, it must be inside the airport campus,” he said, adding that he was not in a position to comment further or say whether he would raise the issue with the government.
Earlier on Saturday, Chief Minister Sawant formally announced the event, stating that Goa would host the Indian Racing Festival in collaboration with Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd (RPPL) and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG).
“We are proud to bring the Indian Racing Festival 2026 to Goa at the Goa Street Circuit, Manohar International Airport,” Sawant posted.
“This world-class event on February 14 and 15 will boost sports tourism, create economic opportunities, inspire our youth and serve as a stepping stone for Goa to emerge as a global sporting event destination,” he added.
Sawant also invited motorsport enthusiasts from across the country to witness what he described as an “exciting celebration of speed and sport” in Goa.
However, questions remain over the exact location and layout of the proposed street circuit within the expansive Mopa airport campus. No official site plan or traffic advisory has been made public so far.
The announcement has revived memories of the Formula 4 Indian Racing Festival, which was earlier proposed in Mormugao in November last year but had to be shelved following strong opposition from local residents and municipal councillors.
On social media, the announcement also drew light-hearted reactions, with one netizen, posting under the name “gareeb scientist”, quipping:
“Mopa roads are pretty good – wonder if that new flyover will be included.”
With local MLAs claiming ignorance and details yet to be clarified, the Goa Street Race announcement has sparked curiosity as well as questions over planning, consultation and execution of the high-profile motorsport event.
