PORVORIM: The State government, on Friday, issued the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Mopa Greenfield International airport to four shortlisted companies. The last date for receiving the applications is April 15.
Under the Request for Qualification (RFQ) four companies – GVK, GMR, Essel Infra-Mumbai and Voluptas Developers – were shortlisted. The latter two companies have tied up with foreign partners – Essel Infra with Zurich Airports and Voluptas Developers with Vinci Airports, Rome.
The cabinet had approved the RFP in October last year. The successful bidder will be finalised based on the bids to share a higher percentage of revenue with the State. After this, the concession agreement will be signed with the bidder within 45 days.
The project, which is expected to be commissioned in 2019, has already received Environment Clearance (EC) from the Ministry for Environment and Forests (MoEF).
The project has attracted wide opposition from several sections, specially in South Goa, the fear being that the new airport will lead to the closure of the existing Dabolim International Airport. There have been also several environmental concerns raised.
The airport, which is being constructed on a public-private-partnership, will be developed in four phases. Phase I is expected to be completed by 2019 and will cater to 4.4 million passengers, while Phase II is likely to be ready by 2025 and this will handle 5.8 million passengers.
An area of 81,29,455 sq mtrs has been acquired for development of the Mopa airport.
