Says airport has wide support from Pernem and across State
TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Rajendra Arlekar has said that he is supporting the proposed airport at Mopa not just because the airport is demanded by the people of his Pernem constituency, but by Goans in general.
He, however, refused to go into the question over the strong opposition brewing up against the proposed airport at Mopa.
During an informal chat with the media on the sidelines of the opening of Santhigiri Ashram’s Ayurveda at Colva on Sunday, Arlekar said, “I represent the people of Pernem, who are strongly rooting for Mopa airport, hence I support the demand. Besides, the people of Goa are also demanding Mopa and as the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, I fully support the demand for the construction of the Mopa airport.”
He said that the Goa government as well as the Union government has already taken a clear stand on the construction of the new airport at Mopa, adding that he fully supports of the stand.
Replying to a query, Arlekar said he does not hold two opinions on the Mopa airport, adding “there is only one opinion and that is in favour of Mopa. The people of Pernem as well as the people of Goa are demanding Mopa and I support the demand.”
But, when it was pointed out to him that people are opposing the proposed Mop airport, the Speaker said “I don’t think there’s any opposition to the proposed Mopa airport… may be here and there. Sometimes, even minor opposition helps in rectifying certain things. Otherwise, if there’s no opposition, then it appears that everything is going on smoothly”.
But, when specifically pointed out to him about the ongoing agitation launched against the Mopa airport, Arlekar tried to wriggle himself out by saying “I don’t want to go into the opposition against the proposed airport.”
