TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Asserting that two airports in Goa are neither feasible nor economically viable, the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee State executive committee under the leadership of new President Luizinho Faleiro on Friday resolved to oppose the proposed Greenfield International Airport at Mopa.
The executive committee also expressed its apprehension about the possible shutting down of the existing Dabolim international airport.
“The GPCC members felt that at the moment there is no need of another airport and the Mopa airport can be held back. There is immense scope to improve and upgrade the existing Dabolim airport,” Luizinho told media soon after the meeting, which was attended by all State executive committee and five Congress Legislative Party (CLP) members led by Leader of Opposition Pratapsing Rane.
Luizinho asserted that Goa being a small State, it is not feasible and economically viable to have two airports, considering the fact that having two such big airports would increase the financial burden on every Goan. “If at all you go for two airports, it will be financially unviable to run and there would be automatic pressure to shut down the old airport at Dabolim,” he said.
The former Chief Minister said that Dabolim is recognized as the international airport of India and is catering to the present demand and has scope for improvement and upgradation. “So, for at least next few years, it can very well cater to the State’s need.”
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is in New Delhi, had on Thursday met Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, with a demand for additional parking space for aircrafts at Dabolim. The Union Minister had directed his officials to visit Goa.
Responding to the same, Luizinho recalled that during his tenure as Chief Minister, he had petitioned the then Defence Minister George Fernandes who had approved a five-point agenda for Dabolim to make it the 13th international airport of India, with directions to Navy to provide additional land space, appointment of additional traffic controller, broader runway and upgradation of airport.
Besides Rane senior, the executive committee meeting was attended by MLAs Vishwajit Rane, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Pandurang Madkaikar and Chandrakant Kavalekar.
The meeting also resolved that the government immediately withdraw the proposed amendments to the Goa Agricultural Tenancy (amendment) Act 2014 on the ground that the bill defeats the very objective of land reforms, fearing loss of agricultural land to the real estate lobby under the pretext of contract farming.
Further, the party also decided to strengthen its membership drive with focus on youth. The general secretaries are directed to submit a preliminary report on membership drive by November 14. “General secretaries are also asked to submit report on booth committees, to know which of them are functioning, which need to be strengthened and revamped,” Luizinho said, adding meetings with grassroot workers would be held from next month.
