The future of Goa’s Dabolim airport has once again taken centre stage in the Legislative Assembly, as lawmakers questioned the feasibility of sustaining operations at both Dabolim and Mopa international airports. Amid growing anxiety over the shifting of commercial flights to the newly commissioned Mopa facility in North Goa, the government was forced to issue renewed assurances that Dabolim will not be shut down.
Raising the matter through a starred question, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo pressed the State government for data on airline operations at Dabolim over the past two years and sought clarity on measures taken to retain commercial traffic. He warned that the increasing preference for Mopa by airlines, particularly international carriers, could eventually render Dabolim redundant.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, responding on the floor of the House, insisted that there was no threat of closure. “Under no circumstances will the Dabolim airport be shut,” he asserted.
The Chief Minister added that the government was actively providing incentives and improved facilities to retain and attract airlines to South Goa’s only airport.
Opposition MLAs, however, voiced concern over the gradual migration of several key international flights to Mopa. Of particular worry was the suspension of the Air India direct service between Mopa and London’s Gatwick Airport — a route reportedly used frequently by Goans. Lobo questioned why the service had been halted abruptly and sought a timeline for its resumption.
In reply, Sawant said the government would escalate the issue to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation and that an official email would be sent by Tuesday. He also said that in August 2023, he had written to the Civil Aviation Minister requesting that operators not be allowed to shift operations entirely from Dabolim to Mopa.
In a bid to downplay fears of an imbalance, Sawant cited statistics showing that the total number of daily flights to Goa has nearly doubled to around 90–100 since the opening of Mopa. He stressed that Dabolim continues to function robustly and that its operations have not been negatively impacted. Revenue generated by the Mopa airport has touched Rs 6,588.6 crore, he added, suggesting that the aviation sector as a whole is growing.
The first day of the Monsoon Session of the Goa Assembly on Monday saw a heated debate on the State Budget presented by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during the Budget Session in March this year.
The Opposition immediately took aim at the ruling BJP government, criticising the Budget as political rhetoric devoid of vision or a concrete roadmap. They also raised serious concerns about the rising burden of public debt.
During the general discussion on the Budget, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said, “There is an alarming rise in debt servicing. The biggest concern is that debt repayment costs have jumped from 15.7% to 18.5%, taking up almost 20% of the budget. The numbers clearly show the government’s spending is badly out of balance and getting worse.”
Aldona MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira also weighed in, stating, “Budget presented by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant as full of emotional and political rhetoric, but lacked the vision and road map to operationalisation. Sawant has claimed that Goa has a reported revenue surplus of Rs 2,403 crore but he has failed to inform on the actual figure in his speech.
We are left to wonder whether it’s because of under-execution of projects,” he said.
“The role of the Goa Human Resource Development Corporation (GHRDC) has become a private security contractor without clear legal safeguards and contract enforcement may lead to worker exploitation. It has become a labour contractor.”
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao, who is expected to speak in more detail on Tuesday, remarked,"Goa is grappling with several issues, including the collapse of law and order, land conversion, women's safety concerns, unemployment, and the increasing number of rape cases involving minors. Yet, this government seems to be 'Susegad'.
The BJP government is taking the people for granted, but we will not allow it to suppress opposition voices and undermine the democratic process.”
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas raised concerns about the plight of Goan youth abroad: “Several Goan youths, along with other Indian youngsters are detained and imprisoned in the United States while searching for employment. The State government must reach out to the US Embassy and extend the necessary support to secure the release of these youths.”
We are left to wonder whether it’s because of under-execution of projects,” he said.
“The role of the Goa Human Resource Development Corporation (GHRDC) has become a private security contractor without clear legal safeguards and contract enforcement may lead to worker exploitation. It has become a labour contractor.”
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao, who is expected to speak in more detail on Tuesday, remarked,"Goa is grappling with several issues, including the collapse of law and order, land conversion, women's safety concerns, unemployment, and the increasing number of rape cases involving minors. Yet, this government seems to be 'Susegad'.
The BJP government is taking the people for granted, but we will not allow it to suppress opposition voices and undermine the democratic process.”
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas raised concerns about the plight of Goan youth abroad: “Several Goan youths, along with other Indian youngsters are detained and imprisoned in the United States while searching for employment. The State government must reach out to the US Em-bassy and extend the necessary support to secure the release of these youths.”