Team Herald
VASCO: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has clarified that Goa government has already taken a decision to retain Dabolim airport once Mopa becomes a reality and a cabinet approval for the same has also been received. So questions on the existence of Dabolim airport after Mopa should not be asked frequently.
Addressing the Vijay Sankalp Mahamelava, organized by Dabolim BJP Mandal at an open ground near Dabolim railway station on Monday, he said “Goa’s tourism growth is so high that we have to keep both the airports. Today, there is a tremendous increase in passenger traffic at Dabolim and the Navy has been finding difficult to give landing permissions to aircraft. After defence flying hours (3 hours), over 100 commercial flights land at Dabolim. Presently, 6 million tourists come to Goa annually while the capacity of Dabolim airport is 2.8 million and once Mopa becomes operational then both airports would be flooded with passenger traffic. Also I want to clarify that Goa government has already taken the decision to retain Dabolim after Mopa and a cabinet approval for the same has also been received. So the question of existence of Dabolim airport after Mopa should not be asked again and again” he told.
With the increase in air traffic and tourists, both airports — Mopa as well as Dabolim will be operational, he said. “I don’t know why media has been raising the issue of existence of Dabolim airport once Mopa becomes reality. It is very clear that Dabolim would continue even after Mopa airport becomes a reality,” he said.
MLA Mauvin Godinho said that after Liberation, the actual development in Goa was witnessed only during BJP government led by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and now under Laxmikant Parsekar.
South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar claimed that Godinho joined BJP after getting impressed with the performance of BJP government in Goa. He further claimed that Godinho would be BJP candidate from Dabolim Assembly seat and would undoubtedly win the seat with thumping majority and BJP will form next government.
Power Minister and Mormugao MLA Milind Naik claimed that BJP fulfilled aspirations of the people and the same can be seen with the turnout of people at Mahamelavas held across Goa. He said that Godinho made positive and timely decision to join BJP because he understood and even visualized bright future of Goa state at the hands of BJP.
