THE GOAN SPECIAL
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FLIGHT OBSTACLE
Thick smoke from the hotmixing machine spreads in all directions and hampers visibility causing obstacles for flights to take off and land
SECURITY THREAT
Unhindered access to the plant on defence land. Every possibility that a miscreant could enter with the help of trucks carrying material
HEALTH RISKS
Residential quarters are just 50 metres away from the plant. Security guards on duty at the gate have to inhale dust and smoke throughout the day
NO COMMENTS
CHIEF MINISTER LAXMIKANT PARSEKAR: He chooses not to respond to the concerns
AIRPORT DIRECTOR BCH NEGI: He too prefers to remain mum on the issue
BRAVE WARRIOR
SOUTH GOA MP NARENDRA SAWAIKAR: He assures to write to the navy about the hazards
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Six flights, including the first chartered flight of the tourist season from Russia, were diverted on October 2 due to thick fog at Dabolim International Airport, but nature has not been the only cause for poor visibility at the airport.
While Navy and airport authorities have frequently complained about roadside garbage as a major threat to aircraft on account of bird hits, they have done little about a hot-mixing plant operated by a private party on defence land that has generated plumes of thick smoke barely about 300 metres from the airport.
The smoke has not only posed problems to flights taking off and landing at Dabolim airport, but a major security threat is looming large on account of easy and unhindered access of unknown persons and vehicles on defence land.
“Flights arriving early morning have a tough time landing especially during the winter season due to the fog and the thick smoke from the hotmixing machine, which is not far from the runway. The thick smoke from the plant spreads in all directions and the hampered visibility causes obstacles for flights to take off and land at the airport,” disclosed an airport official, while speaking to The Goan.
“In fact, when we arrive at the airport in the morning, the entire area is filled with strong odour of the smoke,” said the official.
Attempts to visit the hot-mixing plant were prevented by a Naval security guard stationed at the gate, on grounds that the area was defence land.
But when The Goan explained to the naval sentry the reason to clicking the photos of the stone quarry, the sentry opened up and said: “I do not understand how officials have allowed a private party to operate a hot-mixing plant in this area.”
“We are only directed to man the gate, but we do not have control on who comes in and goes out. There is every possibility that a miscreant could enter defence land with the help of the trucks carrying material and cause a major security threat,” said the sentry.
The security guard then explained the plight of those stationed and residing in the area.
“We have to stand the whole day and inhale dust and smoke. Worst still are the residential quarters where we stay which is barely 50 metres from the hot-mixing plant. Our wives have to clean the house at least 5-6 times a day due to the dust that enters our homes the entire day,” he added.
When this matter was brought to the notice of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar during his recent visit at the airport to inaugurate a 100-foot national flag post, Parsekar chose not to respond to the concerns. Airport Director BCH Negi also declined to comment in the matter.
However, South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar, who was also present along with Parsekar, assured to write to the navy about the hazard caused by the hotmixing machine close to the airport.
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Navy takes it easy,
Mauvin fumes
Even as the hotmixing plant has been spewing thick smoke on a daily basis, the Navy has sought to downplay the presence of the hotmixing plant on defence land and close to the airport.
When contacted, the Navy PRO Commandant Chaitanya initially feigned ignorance about the machinery. But when brought to his notice the exact location of the plant and the threat it posed to civil and defence aircraft at the airport, Commandant Chaitnya said: “The machinery has been installed only on a temporary basis.”
When reminded that the machinery has been in operation since the last five years, he said: “I will look into the matter and will bring it to the notice of my seniors.”
Meanwhile, Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho has strongly opposed the hotmixing plant in close proximity of the airport.
“The smoke and dust not only creates hazards to the civil and defence aircraft, but it also affects naval quarters and residents of New Vaddem,” said Godinho.
“Diversion of flights due to fog and smoke of the machine should be an eye-opener to the Navy and the airport authority. I will take this up strongly with the naval authority,” added Godinho.
Incidentally, despite being the local MLA, Godinho was not aware about details regarding the owner of the hotmixing plant and no information about the owner was available at the site.
