MARGAO: Terming that his government is open for discussion and interaction on the vexed airport issue, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Friday said Mopa will not come up at the cost of Dabolim, promising maximum expansion of the existing airport.
The Chief Minister has also batted for bridges on the river Mandovi and Zuari to ease traffic congestion on the NH17.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the 13th State Youth Festival organised by the Directorate of Youth and Sports Affairs at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, Parsekar said he is open for interaction and debate with the opponents on Mopa from South Goa as promised by his predecessor Manohar Parrikar. “While the government is pursuing Mopa, we have never said no to Dabolim. Dabolim airport will be developed in full swing. Mopa will not come up at the cost of Dabolim. Dabolim will continue to operate in full swing and will be expanded to its maximum capacity,” Parsekar said, while allaying fears expressed in many quarters that Dabolim will be shut down once Mopa becomes a reality.
The Chief Minister also emphasised on the need to have additional bridges on the river Mandovi and Zuari on the NH17. “We have seen over the last one week acute traffic congestion on the NH17 at the Zuari bridge. The government will go for a bridge over river Mandovi with a flyover that will touch the Ponda bypass. This will not only save time at the circle, but avoid traffic congestion,” Parsekar said.
The Chief Minister said that development work, be it in Margao or any other part of the State, which is presently underway, will be speeded up and taken to its logical conclusion.
Meanwhile, for the second time since he assumed office last month, Chief Minister, Laxmikant Parsekar reiterated that he will not be a Chief Minister who will interfere or make announcements pertaining to affairs of portfolios held by his Ministerial colleagues.
The Chief Minister made this amply clear to the media when questioned whether any deadline has been set to unveil the State Youth Policy being drafted by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. “I am not a Chief Minister who would declare the policies of other departments. Every individual Minister should declare the policies of their department after a proper study. I will be there when the policy is being unveiled by the respective Minister. I do not set the deadline for my Ministers to announce the policies,” he asserted.
