Reacting to the report published by Herald “Mopa will add to a mere 4.2 million passengers in 40 years”, GFDO Convenor Fr Eremito Rebello questioned the logic behind the move to build another airport when tourist traffic has seen the downward trend. “This only goes to show the hidden agenda of the present government. Government’s interest in Mopa is not for the people but for its personal gains. The politicians from both the ruling and other political parties, who are silently watching the government’s move to build the Mopa airport should know that the people of Goa are watching them,” Fr Eremito said.
GFDO member Jose Marie Miranda demanded to know the guarantee that the proposed new airport at Mopa will bring in more tourists when tourism has been going down in the state. “Investing in huge project by taking over the land of farmers sounds ridiculous when we know that the project will not be viable.”
In such a situation, Dabolim will be closed down as the Navy will insist on the shifting of the civilian airport to Mopa,” Miranda said.
Sidharth Karapurkar said that the Skybus project had caused loss to the tune of Rs 450 crore adding that building a second airport at Mopa will cost poor Goans lakhs of crores, finishing Goan economy forever.
Meanwihle, Convenor Goenchea Kul-Mundkarancho Aawaz Ramkrishna Jalmi has said t hat Mopa airport is a huge land scam which will destroy Pernem tenants and to sell Goa to outsiders and real estate developers in the interest of politicians.
