Goa being a small state with limited land seems to be a prized catch for everyone in India including defense forces.
The army occupies vast areas of land in Panjim, Navelim, Bambolim, Ponda, etc. All this were previous military areas as Goa was a Portuguese colony. The colonial rulers needed them to park their forces from another nation. Now Goa is an integral part of India, so some parts should be vacated as there is vast land available in other states.
The Navy has its bases and the Dabolim Airport, which should have been a civilian airport. Since there is vast area in Karwar, the airport should have been transferred to that area. But nobody will budge.
And now the Air Force is eyeing land in Goa – entering as Expo site, which later on will be made a permanent area for Air Force. They did not have any place in Goa.
All of them are interested to have land in Goa as a holiday destination for its officers and personnel. It is our misfortune for being a holiday destination and everyone wanting a pie.
All our politicians are of same hue – First it was the Congress government, who refused to do anything and now it is the BJP government. Our own Mr. Manohar Parrikar, who always had Goan interests at heart seems to have changed after becoming the union defense minister. He was trying to get back some land from the army in Panjim and so on but nothing has happened till now. We are branded as anti-nationals if we try to protect our own land for future generations. It looks like Nationalism is the privilege of some to defend their actions.
Now to add to all this – we hear of a demand on Mopa airport. If the Navy wants – give them the whole airport and let them vacate Dabolim for civilian use. In this way we will be saved of spending on Mopa and we can expand Dobolim for full international use.
Goans please awaken to stop this Def Expo by not allowing Air Force to set their feet and thereafter to keep on demanding more and more. Or else let Goa be declared as National defense area for Army, Navy and Air Force and rehabilitate future Goans, if any, to another place!
