Team Herald

PANJIM: Assuring the House that the international status of Dabolim airport will be retained, Goa Governor Dr Mridula Sinha on Monday announced that the proposed international airport at Mopa, catering to domestic and international flights, will be operational within the next three years.

Addressing the first-day of the Budget Session of the State Legislative Assembly, the Governor also said that the government is exploring options to make optimum use of inland waterways as a transportation mode. 

 “The present airport at Dabolim is already overloaded due to increasing passenger traffic as well as naval restrictions,” the Governor said in her address. “While the dual status of Dabolim airport is retained, my government is committed to have its own international airport at Mopa in Pernem taluka catering round the clock operation of both domestic and international flights within next three years,” Sinha said. 

The Governor said, “Goa will become a unique State to have two international airports conducting civilian operations in close proximity.” She informed the House that the work of improvement, widening and strengthening of existing approach road to Mopa airport site to facilitate two-way movement of vehicles is almost completed.

Sinha said that Goa has a good network of inland waterways. “In order to reduce air pollution and road traffic congestion, my government is exploring to make optimum use of inland waterways,” she said.

She added that the government has taken up work of construction of three new ferryboats, which will be ready by February 2018 and the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has undertaken the environmental impact assessment study for initiating the second phase of de-silting of River Sal so as to facilitate free movement of passenger boats. “My government would lay greater emphasis on overall sustainable development in all the spheres of the State,” she said.

Stating that Goa is a famous tourist destination and tourism industry contributes a major portion in the State income, the Governor said that the government’s priority is to provide quality infrastructure and promote the tourism sector in all spheres.

Speaking about agriculture, she said the government is committed towards doubling the real income of farmers by 2022, which is one of sustainable development goals of the State. 

“In order to achieve the target, my government is making efforts to identify waste land and put the same to use for cooperative farming by providing technology, modern tools, financial support by way of subsidies for cultivating various types of crops and purchasing agricultural machinery and encourage the youth to take up agriculture,” she said, adding that the government will brand Goan agricultural produce and establish integrated horticulture and floriculture estates.

“The vision of the government is also to make the State self-sufficient in milk production,” she said.  

The Governor reiterated that the government is committed to make Goa open defection free by October 2, 2018.