PANAJI: Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief Vijai Sardesai on Thursday alleged that the Union Defence Ministry is pressuring the Goa government to allow Dabolim Airport to function exclusively as a naval airport.
Warning of serious consequences, Sardesai said the party would launch a statewide agitation if the State government fails to clearly spell out its stand on the future of civilian operations at Dabolim.
Yesterday, the minister had stated that a trick is being played by GMR to involve the Navy. “At present, Mopa Airport handles 70 per cent of its traffic from Maharashtra and 30 per cent from the local Goan population. While it is important to attract more passengers, this should not come at the cost of Dabolim Airport. GMR is taking advantage of the situation and lobbying very aggressively. In fact, they are trying to involve the Navy, saying Dabolim is primarily for defence,” he said.
Sardesai termed it “shameful” to suggest that a private company could dictate terms to the government. “It is shameful for Mauvin Godinho to blame GMR. The reality is that the Defence Ministry is pressurising the State. Having failed to protect Dabolim, he should step down as MLA,” he said.
He claimed that after Operation Sindoor, there were moves within defence circles to keep Dabolim “exclusively for the Navy”. “I had raised this issue in the Assembly and challenged the Chief Minister to state that it was not true. At that time, the Minister stood up and assured the House that Dabolim would be upgraded for the people and that both airports would run. Now it appears he has failed,” Sardesai said.
The GFP chief demanded a categorical statement from the government. “If within seven days nothing is clarified, we will launch a statewide agitation, beginning in South Goa after Carnival,” he warned.
He also alleged that the BJP was trying to finish Goa and claimed that South Goa’s tourism sector was being targeted for not supporting the party, adding that all South Goa BJP leaders should be boycotted for their failure to stand with the people.
