Team Herald

MARGAO: Union Civil Aviation Minister Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Saturday made it clear that Dabolim Airport would not be shut down after the commissioning of the new Greenfield airport at Mopa. 

Speaking at the workshop on SkyRev 360 software developed by Indian Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airports Authority of India (AAI), he said, “The national growth rate in the number of fliers is 20-odd per cent per year, while that of Goa is 30 per cent, which is above the national average. If you interact with the passengers at Dabolim airport, you will know that the existing airport is congested”.

The minister said, "Dabolim will not be closed after commissioning of Mopa Airport because unlike Bangalore and Hyderabad airports, which closed, there is no clause in the agreement for closure of other facility." 

"Goa will be luckiest state in the country to have choice of airports which is very rare. Remove all the doubts on the closure as Goa has a high growth rate. If the 30 per cent growth rate continues, then Goa airport will be choked,” he added.

“Do you want Goa to choke Goa or you want Goa to grow? I think that Goa should grow and if you are getting the opportunity to grow then why not? Nobody is shutting down any airport,” minister said, while answering a volley of questions over Dabolim closure.

The minister further informed that the facilities at the existing Dabolim airport are being upgraded.

"The existing Dabolim airport is owned by military but airport authority has civil enclave, airport authority is making investment close to Rs 300 crore including Rs 90 crore for taxi bay, which will decongest the runway. Nobody thought of ever shutting it down," said the minister.

"New Mopa airport would be functional by May 2020. Goa deserves another airport. The new airport is feasible, if it was not feasible, why would the private party invest money? Even AAI filed bid for the Greenfield airport," said he said.