PANJIM: The ongoing Ayodhya dispute case in the Supreme Court appears to have had its effect on Goa’s ambitious Mopa airport case.
It’s been almost six months since work on the Rs 3,250 cr Mopa greenfield airport project has been stopped due to litigation.
Civil Aviation Director Dr Suresh Shanbhogue said the Mopa case will come up in the Supreme Court only after October 18, when the Ayodhya case is expected to end. He said that on January 19, 2019, the Supreme Court had asked for a status quo and thereafter, on March 29, it had suspended the Environment Clearance asking the Environment Assessment Committee to look into the project and add some more conditions, if required.
Accordingly, Shanbhogue added, the meeting was held by the EAC and a report was submitted to Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
“The MoEF&CC issued the EC again for the project and the matter was placed before the Apex court on May 10, which unfortunately was the last day before the vacation,” he said.
In July, he added, when the court began hearings it asked for written submission from petitioners and arguments started in August. “But after the Ayodhya hearings began, Justice Chandrachud Bench does not sit and we are told it would only start after October 18,” he said.
However, the officer was hopeful the once the court resumes, the matter would be decided quickly. “Arguments by petitioner’s lawyers have been completed and only the MoEF&CC and government of Goa lawyers have to argue. Once the hearing starts, I think it will be a matter of just a few days for the order,” he said.
