VASCO
Members of the Goa Pradesh Youth Congress along with the leaders of Congress like Elvis Gomes and others staged a protest rally outside Dabolim Airport on Wednesday afternoon.
Speaking to reporters, Congress leader Elvis Gomes said the protest was held because international flights of Air India operating from Dabolim Airport had been diverted to Mopa Airport.
"The airlines has succumbed to the pressure of BJP government in the centre as well as the State to shift its international flights from Dabolim-Gatwick to Mopa from July 21,” said Gomes.
"We want to highlight the issue and explain that this action will negatively impact South Goa District, its people and the tourism industry.”
“We also want to say that majority of passengers on these flights come from South Goa District. These passengers will face inconvenience to move all the way to Mopa from places like Canacona and other extreme corners of South Goa. This shift will pave way to make Dabolim airport unviable and finally, the airport will be closed down," said Gomes.
"We have nothing against the Mopa Airport, we demand that the Government does not pressurise airline operators to move existing international flights from Dabolim Airport to Mopa Airport. The Government can have additional flights from Mopa Airport if they want but the existing arrangements of Goa airport must not be changed.”
“The Congress will never allow this ugly plan to close down Dabolim Airport to materialise and we will take up this issue in the assembly as well. No matter what happens, we will ensure that the Dabolim Airport continues to function," said Gomes.
Congress South Goa District President Mahesh Nadar said that their protest was against Air India at the Dabolim Airport.
The protest was spearheaded by Goa Pradesh Youth Congress members including General Secretary (organisation) Ahraz Mulla, Mahesh Nadar (South Goa District President), Maulali Bijghar (General Secretary of North Goa District), Saquib Shaikh and others.
Speaking to reporters, Congress leader Elvis Gomes said the protest was held because international flights of Air India operating from Dabolim Airport had been diverted to Mopa Airport.
"The airlines has succumbed to the pressure of BJP government in the centre as well as the State to shift its international flights from Dabolim-Gatwick to Mopa from July 21,” said Gomes.
"We want to highlight the issue and explain that this action will negatively impact South Goa District, its people and the tourism industry.”
“We also want to say that majority of passengers on these flights come from South Goa District. These passengers will face inconvenience to move all the way to Mopa from places like Canacona and other extreme corners of South Goa. This shift will pave way to make Dabolim airport unviable and finally, the airport will be closed down," said Gomes.
"We have nothing against the Mopa Airport, we demand that the Government does not pressurise airline operators to move existing international flights from Dabolim Airport to Mopa Airport. The Government can have additional flights from Mopa Airport if they want but the existing arrangements of Goa airport must not be changed.”
“The Congress will never allow this ugly plan to close down Dabolim Airport to materialise and we will take up this issue in the assembly as well. No matter what happens, we will ensure that the Dabolim Airport continues to function," said Gomes.
Congress South Goa District President Mahesh Nadar said that their protest was against Air India at the Dabolim Airport.
The protest was spearheaded by Goa Pradesh Youth Congress members including General Secretary (organisation) Ahraz Mulla, Mahesh Nadar (South Goa District President), Maulali Bijghar (General Secretary of North Goa District), Saquib Shaikh and others.
