TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Notwithstanding the opposition even from within his own Cabinet on the Mopa Greenfield airport, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has reiterated his backing for the airport, saying he would initiate the Environment Impact Assessment by August. In Parrikar’s estimation the process, is likely to take at least six months to be completed.
Parrikar, who has put the Rs 3,000 crore project on the fast track, had originally stated in March that Request for Qualification would be issued in April, which was later to be issued by mid-July.
“Government will not issue any directions till the EIA is conducted… we are not in a hurry… all procedures would be followed,” Parrikar told Herald clarifying that the document to invite a RFQ from companies interested in developing the airport is ready.
The State government has already written to companies/ agencies empanelled by Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) for conducting EIAs and are waiting their response.
“We are in process of finalizing the agency. We would select the agency mostly by next month, and expect the EIA process to start… it might take maximum six months,” Chief Minister said.
In the past, Parrikar had said that the airport would be functional by 2016 end or beginning of 2017 and the Government has already acquired 2,63,185 sq m of land for the proposed airport at Pernem Taluka.
When asked about the resentment amongst a section about the Mopa airport, Parrikar said, “the Centre has given its nod to Mopa airport. Congress and others are trying to politicize the issue”.
Even though the government had made it clear that Dabolim airport will continue to function along with Mopa, the BJP-led government is facing heat over the proposed airport. Along with the Opposition and civil society, the government is having anti-Mopa protestors within the Cabinet.
Government has also decided to launch a special website that will upload all the information and government decisions on Mopa airport. The details regarding Dabolim would be also uploaded there.
“We will put up everything on the website… let the public go through it…,” Chief Minister stated.
