According to the Draft Regional Plan- 2021 policy document of the task force for regional plan for Goa-2021(refer page XIV), the Government has decided to locate the new international airport for transporting cargo and passengers at Mopa which has a catchment that extends into Southern Maharashtra and the northern and western regions of Karnataka. Does this imply that the land-use plans of Southern Maharashtra and the northern and western regions of Karnataka can be included in the land-use plans of North Goa & South Goa districts?
Why are there no proper guidelines to prepare the village & district level development plans for North Goa & South Goa Districts? Why were the surface utilization regional plan maps for North Goa & South Goa Districts not included along with the taluka level & village level maps of Goa in any of the final reports RPG 2021- Release One, Two and Three? These reports were prepared during the years 2010 & 2011 by the State Level Committee for Regional Plan for Goa-2021.
Can we allow land-use plans of the neighbouring States of Maharashtra & Karnataka in the land-use plans of North Goa & South Goa Districts for creating hidden metropolitan districts to promote Mopa Airport and supporting projects?
Serious attempts are being made (since the year 2006) to define river water sharing for the hidden metropolitan district areas by diverting Mhadei River & its tributaries. Can we permit destruction of the eco-sensitive Western Ghats and the river systems in Goa for promoting such unsustainable development?
The construction for the new Zuari bridge from Agassaim to Cortalim (near the existing bridge) along the National Highway NH-17 has been delayed by more than 10 years. Why the land-use plans of North & South Goa districts for supporting the proposed six-lane Zuari Bridge (connecting North Goa district to South Goa district) kept hidden? Six-lane bridges are required for connecting metropolitan areas for promoting expressways /urban roads. The proposed six-lane Zuari Bridge & the required road connectivity for implementing metropolitan land-use plans for unsustainable industrial & housing development projects will destroy the villages of Goa .
I am now deviating from the subject. As per ADDENDUM-VI dated 7January 2015 of the Directorate of Civil Aviation, Government of Goa, the Application Due Date for Global RFQ Notice No.32/DOCA/RFQ/MOPA/2014 has been extended to 12 February 2015, 15:00 Hours IST. Also, the date & time of opening of online tender is on 12 February, 2015 after 15.30 Hours IST in the office of the Director of Civil Aviation.
How many applications were submitted for the pre-qualification process? Was Airport Authority of India (AAI) one of the applicants? In my opinion, the application of AAI for the pre-qualification process for Mopa airport PPP project has to be treated like any other private applicant/developer. Also,all project approvals are required before completing the short-listing (first stage) process and AAI cannot be owner as well as developer. There may be attempts to confuse the role of AAI to start the construction of Mopa Airport project in a hurry.
Instead of getting involved in Mopa Airport, AAI should prepare and implement a 30-year master plan for upgrading the existing Goa International airport at Dabolim for short & long -term air traffic requirements of Goa.
