I read an interesting news report (Herald July 21) on Mopa Airport. It appears that five companies have been issued the Request for Proposal (RFP) document and the technical bids (based on RFP) received from these companies are under evaluation. Further, post technical bids, the evaluation of the financial bid (based on RFP) and signing of the Concession Agreement with the bidder for the construction of proposed Mopa Airport will be done in August.
There is an urgent need to get from the data room of the authority, the detailed information memorandum for the Mopa Airport project (clearly indicating the project approvals and clearances), the proposed approved master plan and the approved layout plans of supporting mega investment projects. The Goa Metropolitan Region should be clearly defined in terms of human population and land-use plans, for promoting Mopa Airport.
Mopa airport supporting unsustainable mega tourism investment projects such as amusement parks, luxury hotels, golf courses and other eco-tourism projects, large agri-business projects, industrial townships/SEZs, large housing projects for unwanted 365 days tourist population/floating migrant workers and the required transportation linkages layout plans for connectivity to the large neighboring states will destroy tiny eco-sensitive Goa. This will have negative environmental and social impacts on the lives and livelihoods of the local communities in villages and towns. The tender process for Mopa Airport must be stopped immediately.
