Parrikar says Dec 19; Centre for Dec 3
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM/VASCO: With the new Dabolim terminal building ready for operations, the State and Central governments now appear to be competing with each other over the dates to inaugurate the complex.
While the State government had plans to open the new Dabolim terminal building on December 19, the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has, instead, cleared the proposal for the soft opening of the facility on December 3, while the probable date for the full-fledged operation of the airport is December 13.
Last week, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had announced the soft opening of the airport on Goa Liberation day, with full-fledged operations by January 26, 2014, subject to approval by Union Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India.
Confirming the same, Goa Airport Director M Suresh said the Civil Aviation Ministry has cleared the proposal for the soft opening of the new terminal on December 3. “December 13 has been fixed for the full-fledged opening of the airport. But, this is a probable date as it will depend upon the preparedness of all agencies,” he added.
Refusing to give further details about the current status of the terminal, Suresh said all infrastructure is been made available, with some final touches left to be completed. The entire project will cost Rs 400 crore.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said currently, the airport was operational for only 15-16 hours a day. If it functions for 24 hours, then the handling capacity might go up to nine million tonnes annually, he stated.
At present, there are 32 check-in counters, which will later be increased to 64. While there are 12 immigration counters for departures at the current airport, the new facility will have 16 counters, from six immigration counters for arrival, there will be nine at the new building.
The new facility is six times bigger than the current one, Parrikar said, adding that it will be able to accommodate 11 aircraft at the same time, with the latest additions such as five aero bridges and six conveyor belts. Two conveyor belts each would be dedicated to domestic and international flights, while two would kept in reserve.
Confirming the dates for the soft launch and formal launch of the Dabolim airport at a function at New Vaddem in Vasco, Dabolim MLA Mauvino Godinho said the Dabolim airport has been modernised with the ultimate aim of passenger comfort and increased arrival of passengers.
Godinho also mentioned that the navy is in the process of acquiring almost 500 acres of land close to Belgaum for a full-fledged air wing of the navy.
Commenting on the Mopa airport, Godinho said there cannot be air traffic for two airports at the moment. “However, nobody can predict what will happen in future. Since the land has been acquired, it will remain in the custody of the government,” added Godinho.
“Farmers at Mopa who have lost their land should be adequately compensated. If these farmers were cultivating their land, then they should be rehabilitated either by giving them alternate cultivable land or creating opportunities or avenues, where they can earn their livelihood,” Godinho said. adding that it will be able to accommodate 11 aircraft at the same time, with the latest additions such as five aero bridges and six conveyor belts. Two conveyor belts each would be dedicated to domestic and international flights, while two would kept in reserve.
Confirming the dates for the soft launch and formal launch of the Dabolim airport at a function at New Vaddem in Vasco, Dabolim MLA Mauvino Godinho said the Dabolim airport has been modernised with the ultimate aim of passenger comfort and increased arrival of passengers.
Godinho also mentioned that the navy is in the process of acquiring almost 500 acres of land close to Belgaum for a full-fledged air wing of the navy.
Commenting on the Mopa airport, Godinho said there cannot be air traffic for two airports at the moment. “However, nobody can predict what will happen in future. Since the land has been acquired, it will remain in the custody of the government,” added Godinho.
“Farmers at Mopa who have lost their land should be adequately compensated. If these farmers were cultivating their land, then they should be rehabilitated either by giving them alternate cultivable land or creating opportunities or avenues, where they can earn their livelihood,” Godinho said.
