Independent MLA, Vijai Sardessai and Congress MLA, ReginaldoLourenco’s joint venture to extract maximum mileage out of the ‘airportimbroglio’ fell flat, after Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and senior Congressleader Mauvin Godinho partnered together to counter them.
The much awaited half-hour discussion sought by Dabolim MLAMauvin Godinho on a starred question of the Fatorda MLA on the fate of Dabolimairport and the viability of Mopa airport was taken up in the House.
Both Dabolim MLA and the chief minister justified the needof Mopa airport and the continuance of Dabolim and further said that there wassufficient space for airport parking at Dabolim.
“I have called a delegation of Airport Authority of Indiaand wrote to them requesting to put forward their demand, but till date AAI hasnot replied,” said Parrikar.
“Let AAI ask what is their requirements, we are ready toprovide them land,” the chief minister added.
When the Curtorim MLA asked the chief minister to justifythe entire land acquisition process that was initiated in 2006 and ultimatelyde-notified in 2010 to benefit builder, the CM said that there was a generalpractice among the central agencies to seek more land than was required.
“Similar thing happened in 2006. The State government hadacquired more than required land for the airport and allied facilities,”Parrikar defended.
“If there is shortfall of land for parking at Dabolim letAAI make a written representation to me. I am ready to provide them land,”Parrikar countered.
Earlier, Godinho said that he had deliberately sought thediscussion as few members were trying to divide Goans.
“Is Mopa not part of Goa? Than why is such a hue and crycreated on Mopa airport,” Godinho asked.
“Dabolim airport will not be able to cope with the projectedincrease in traffic in the next two years and it is already handling 3.7million passengers annually,” Parrikar said.
The arrivals will touch six million in the next two years.Then the airport will not be able to handle the traffic, he added.
He said that his thrust towards development of Mopa is toensure that it is developed as a major cargo hub in Konkan region. Bestvegetables are produced in Konkan but it cannot be exported due congestion inMumbai airport, he added.
