My letter “Stop Mhadei diversion, reject Mopa Airport!” appeared on the Herald dated May 06, 2015.
In the minutes of the Steering Committee meeting held on 14/7/2010 for the New International Airport at Mopa, it is stated that that as per the directives of the Steering Committee, the bid document for appointment of Consultant for Mopa Airport was prepared by the Goa PPP Cell based on similar bid document for Navi Mumbai Airport.
Hence, like Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) identified by the mandated Special Planning Authority CIDCO for the proposed Greenfield International Airport at Navi Mumbai, there is a hidden long-term airport development plan linked to Mopa Airport Influence Notified Area covering the eco-sensitive Western Ghats and surrounding region in Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
The tiny state of Goa does not need two international airports. The ultimate master plan for phase wise development of existing Goa International Airport at Dabolim is neither disclosed nor any attempts made to acquire additional land required for long-term phase wise implementation. Also, according to the Regional Plan of Goa RPG-2021 Mormugao Taluka land-use map, it appears that the existing Goa International Airport at Dabolim is going to remain as a fully domestic Defence Airport after 5 to 10 years.
The protection of the biodiversity and eco-sensitive river systems of the Western Ghats and surrounding region is critical for the survival of the tiny State of Goa. For the feasibility of Mopa Airport in Goa, the long-term Airport Development Plans linked to Airport Influence Notified Area (covering the three states of Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka) are to be implemented by destroying the biodiversity and eco-sensitive river systems of the Western Ghats and surrounding region.
There is an urgent need to reject such development plans now to prevent man-made disasters. Prevention is better than cure.
