PANJIM: While claiming that Mopa airport is not a project of the Union government, Goans for Dabolim Only (GFDO) on Saturday questioned and raised suspicions over Union Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu’s personal interest in the international airport project. Alleging that the proposed airport is nothing but a major scam in terms of money and land resources, GFDO is contemplating challenging the project in the Supreme Court. 

GFDO also questioned the Union Minister’s opinion on Mopa airport being a cargo hub, when as per the GMR Master Plan Survey Rreport, they are convinced with cargo handling at Dabolim airport. 

Addressing the media, GFDO Convenor Fr Eremito Rebelo said, “Most of the ambitious plans for Mopa airport and Goa do not appear to be supported by hard facts and ground realities, thus giving rise to suspicion that perhaps the government’s claim of endeavouring to boost tourism in the State conceals the unstated objective of growing tourism in Sindhudurg.”

He said, “Regarding the assurance that the private sector Mopa airport will provide jobs for Goans, the State government has no locus standi to compel the project developer to do so since it has failed to put any clause in the agreement making it mandatory for Goans to be employed. A recent news report highlighted the fact that private companies were attending recruitment fairs in Sindhudurg.” 

He further said that the Union Civil Aviation Minister has shown active interest in the success and development of Mopa airport even at the cost of its own civil aviation run Dabolim and this needs to be clarified.  Also the Union Minister’s opinion on Mopa airport being a cargo hub, when as per the GMR Master Plan Survey report, they are convinced with the cargo handling at Dabolim airport, and this needs to be questioned.

“It is only fair that the figures substantiating the claim that Dabolim airport will never close down for civil flights once Mopa airport is commissioned be made public, since documents in our possession convey a totally different narrative. In fact the expert reports of ICAO and ADPi have clearly stated that one airport is best for Goa,” he added.