The need to have Mopa Airport for promoting non-aeronautical integrated multimodal transport hub activities was highlighted in this rejoinder article by comparing the tiny rural –urban State of Goa to Kuala Lumpur city in Malaysia and metro cities of India.
In my letter that appeared in the Herald (refer Opinion page 8/April 3, 2013), I had mentioned various issues of concern and explained how Goa is not suitable for implementing integrated transport hubs and other supporting/connectivity development projects that are required for the survival of Mopa Airport. I also suggested alternative development plans.
Nearly three years later, I will not delete even a sentence from my above referred letter to reject Mopa Airport. Now after reading the article ‘Why CRZ may be a Farce’ (Herald Review voice of opinion page 4 / February 21, 2016), I am providing additional few paragraphs relevant for the subject of my earlier letter.
Large development projects and townships were proposed on the open lands of the Multimedia Super Corridor development zone linked to the non-aeronautical transport hub activities for the new Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia. In order to promote planned urbanisation, the land developers were required to submit to the authorities their drainage proposals and preliminary designs with supporting earthwork plans, before commencing any detailed design work on the project.
The project review professionals were required to evaluate the earthwork plans and preliminary drainage design proposals of the developers. The evaluation was done considering approved earthwork and drainage master plans prepared by various authorities for the urbanisation of the corridor development zone.
Purpose-driven studies were conducted over a period of years to develop standards and procedures for urban storm water drainage systems linked to the urbanisation process. Due consideration was given to site-specific issues including short-duration rainfall records, topographical survey records, land-use characteristics, possible flood hazards, location of possible detention ponds and erosion control measures.
Rapid urbanisation is unsustainable in the small eco-sensitive State of Goa having unique beautiful village settlements and heritage areas. Also, there are no proper standards and procedures for evaluation of land development/earthwork plans of project developers/investors. Under such circumstances, the multi-modal transportation corridors, the transportation connectivity linkages and supporting real estate development projects required for survival of Mopa Airport will result in massive destruction of villages in the entire State of Goa.
