It is nice once in a way to reminisce on some of the most faltering things the state has witnessed, unable to visualise for what reasons. We understand that the Mopa Greenfield international airport has finally commenced work and more remarkably the company has invited global tender for building the airport, the first phase of which would be completed by 2020 handling traffic of over 4 million annually.
The projection made is a reflection on the change of pattern in peoples’ gradual switchover to air mode of transport. Till a few years ago the only mode of travel that people could visualise was road or rail. Today there is a sweeping variation in mind-set and people attribute a lot of importance to time-saving compared to the associated travel fare. The air mode of transport which was confined only to the elite class has been overtaken by the average middle class as well. This is particularly so in a tourist-centric place like Goa and one needs to appreciate the Centre’s vision in allotting an additional airport at Mopa.
What will ever remain a mystery in the minds of people was the blatant opposition for this airport led by a Catholic priest, despite clarifying that the one at Dabolim would be unable to meet the rapidly growing air traffic and besides the new airport would provide vast employment potential to the jobless locals.
It reminded me of similar mindless protests led by the Church against the prestigious Konkan Railway project passing through Goa in the 1980s, despite knowing that it was the vital link for passengers, connecting south to north. Not only was the opposition overruled but worse still the chauvinistic attitude of the Church was bitterly scorned.
And when the entire country along with the rest of the world believes that primary education is best in regional language, the Church is determined to do it in English medium, demanding continuation of grants to such schools run by it, much against the national norms. The objective here is to unfurl the hidden truth. Can anyone counter these views judiciously?
