Team Herald
VASCO: Stressing on the need to construct various projects planned earlier as part of the expansion of Dabolim Airport, the director of Airport Authority of India (AAI) Goa airport BCH Negi on Monday claimed that AAI has not received any communication from the state government rejecting AAI’s proposal for conversion of land acquired for parking under survey number 9/1-A.
According to Negi, at the time of implementing expansion plans for Dabolim Airport, AAI had requested for over 16 acres of land for the construction of a parking lot and other allied infrastructural facilities for the airport, including barracks to accommodate Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), besides armoury/ammunition stores, dog kennel, aviation tanks, refuelling stations, warehouse etc.
He said the former state government had identified the land in three different patches; under survey numbers 8/1, 9/1-A, however a major portion of the acquired land under survey number 8/1 was de-notified in February 2011.
“After this de-notification, we were left with only two patches of plot and both these properties are located besides the railway line. Also, at the time of forwarding our proposal for land requirement on city side, we had clearly mentioned that we would be constructing other allied amenities for the airport besides the parking lot, however, when the notification for the same was issued, they wrongly mentioned it for “parking” and thus before going ahead with the proposed project on the land available with us, we decided to ask for conversion of land so that we could construct important amenities, including CISF barracks, armory, aviation fuel tanks, refuelling stations, warehouse, cargo house etc” Negi said.
He further said, “Presently, we have no clue as to whether the state government has rejected our proposal and has taken any decision to take back the acquired land admeasuring 19,495 sq mts under survey No. 9/1-A. But if the government is thinking to do so, then we will request the administration to reconsider their decision as the airport has been lacking important amenities. Also, under the present scenario, our CISF personnel have been staying at rented accommodation at different locations. We need to provide them with barrack facilities on a priority basis, similarly other facilities for smooth operations are must and we, therefore, will take this issue at highest level,” he said.
District Collector South Goa, Swapnil Naik, confirmed to Herald that the government has decided to reject AAI’s conversion of land proposal. “Yes, we have received a communication from the government that AAI’s proposal for conversion of land stands rejected as the purpose for which it was acquired does not seem to be now required. We would soon communicate to AAI about the decision”.
Meanwhile, the chairman of Airport Advisory Committee and MP South Goa Narendra Sawaikar has said he would extend all cooperation to the AAI as the organisation requires land for construction of important amenities and thus he would take up the issue before the Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and would try to resolve the same. “Though I have not received any information about government’s rejection, however, if AAI needs land for some specific purpose, then the same should be given. I will take up the issue with CM,” he said.
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Picture of land acquired for AAI
