SALIGAO
National convenor of Outlook for Social Change (OSC) A K Tripathi said the proposed Mopa airport will cause irreparable harm to the State's ecology and has demanded a CBI probe into the matter.
“This needless development is nothing but a Rs 5,500 crore scam which is being perpetuated to serve private interest under the garb of Mopa airport,” stated Tripathi, while addressing media persons at Porvorim.
Nuvem MLA and former minister Francisco (Mickky) Pacheco and some residents affected by the proposed Mopa airport were also present at the news conference.
“The Central Bureau of Investigation should step in immediately and conduct enquiry into this land scam,” said Tripathi.
Tripathi further said the State government should submit a sworn affidavit to the people of Goa that proposed Mopa Greenfield airport will have zero environmental impact, will come within envisaged cost of Rs 3,000 crore, will be ready for operations within 3 years without any delay, will generate a minimum of 3,000 new skilled jobs for the people of Goa and will not cause any impact on wildlife and natural heritage of adjoining areas of Maharashtra.
“If the government cannot furnish this affidavit, it should scrap the project,” said Tripathi.
The OSC has urged Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar to make Mopa region a model project for ‘Make in Goa’ on the lines of national initiative ‘Make in India’.
Tripathi said people from Mopa region can do wonders if the State government supports them to set up cottage industries by offering soft loan to the tune of Rs 100 crore under a structured State administered mechanism.
“Give Mopa residents their land and empower them under the start-up India scheme,” suggested Tripathi.
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Opposed Mopa right from beginning: Mickky
SALIGAO: Nuvem MLA and former minister Francisco (Mickky) Pacheco claimed he had never supported the BJP-led government and hence, the question of withdrawing support to the government did not arise.
Speaking to media persons along the sidelines of a news conference in Porvorim, Pacheco said he had supported the BJP-led government after being hopeful of development in the State.
“But during the last 4 years, there has been no significant development. I was against the proposed Mopa airport right from the beginning. The existing airport at Dabolim is sufficient to handle air traffic. Mopa airport will not promote tourism and there is another airport coming up just 100 kms away in Maharashtra,” said Pacheco.
“Hence, there is no need for the Mopa airport. The government is interested in the Mopa airport to please the corporates and the people who have purchased large chunks of land at Mopa. This airport will not benefit Goans at all and on the contrary, it will destroy the environment of the area,” he said.
“The government is fooling the people stating that Mopa will be ready within 3 years. This Mopa will not be ready by 2019. I will fight tooth and nail to prevent the Mopa airport from coming up,” stated Pacheco.
“I am prepared to join hands with any individual or party who is interested in opposing the Mopa airport,” asserted Pacheco.
