VASCO
Reassuring the people of Mormugao taluka that the State government would never allow Dabolim Airport to close down, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said a meeting would be convened next week to plan the division of flights between Mopa and Dabolim airports.
Sawant was addressing a gathering to lay the foundation stone and to inaugurate of various projects of Mormugao Port Authority (MPA), including the new international cruise terminal.
"Ever since the Mopa airport is taking shape, some people have started to feel that Dabolim Airport may close and I want to reassure all people that Dabolim airport will continue its operations and not close. We will never allow Dabolim airport to close and Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho is continuously monitoring the situation at Dabolim Airport," said Sawant.
"Next week, we will have a meeting for the planning of both airports. We may even think of division of flights and in case international flights move towards Mopa, then the domestic flights will arrive at Dabolim Airport.”
The chief minister said Mormugao Taluka is the only area where a port, airport and railways is within a 4-km range of each other and it has one of the best connectivity facilities which will be taken up under the Gati Shakti initiative.
“Once we use the Gati Shakti platform, Mormugao taluka will get maximum use of the port, Airport and Railway to increase import and export activity, thus generating a lot of employment to the locals of this taluka.”
“The government is concerned about everyone and no one must ever feel that Dabolim Airport may shut down and people must also not create rumours regarding Dabolim Airport," said Sawant.
Earlier on Wednesday, Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho insisted that app-based taxis are necessary if Dabolim Airport has to compete with Mopa Airport.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with taxi operators at Dabolim airport, Godinho said he was concerned that Dabolim Airport may shut down if proper facilities and new technology was not offered to passengers.
Godinho’s statement had sparked off fears that Dabolim airport could be shut down and air traffic could be diverted to Mopa Airport.
