TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Goans for Dabolim Only (GFDO) has invited Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for a public debate on the need for two airports in the State, “where the doubts and the longstanding questions of the people can be addressed and cleared once and for all.”
While supporting Parrikar in his expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of Dabolim under the Airports Authority of India, GFDO has expressed shock that absolutely no infrastructural developments have taken place around Dabolim airport and the area around the airport is barren and lacked purposeful and coordinated development.
In an open letter to the chief minister, its Convenor Fr Eremito Rebelo, lauding the stand taken by him as the Leader of the Opposition on the denotifying of Survey 8/1, Dabolim, which was reserved for parking and city side facilities, the NGO asked why now, when he is the chief minister, he was afraid “to act decisively in reacquiring that land, particularly in view of the fact that a strong public purpose exists and no other suitable land around the airport is available for acquisition.” Saying that this is perplexing as to why the government was not acquiring 40,000 sq. metres of barren land for an existing airport “when it had not the slightest hesitation in taking over around 84 lakh sq metres of fertile land for the proposed Mopa Airport.”
“Why does your government not examine the idea and concept of sustainable human development instead of ploughing through with the rampant and mindless concretisation of Goa that is being passed off as development?” Fr Rebello asked. “We want to believe that your government is transparent and sincere. However, the two-and-a-half years of your tenure that we have experienced, have certainly not inspired the people of Goa with trust or faith,” GFDO claimed.
Arguing that when his government has shown its inability to provide basic necessities for quality of life like efficient garbage management and uninterrupted water and power supply, how can it even consider setting up ambitious, unrealistic projects like Mopa airport, which will bring in a massive floating population Goa cannot support? “How will two airports benefit the people of a State struggling with lack of basic necessities like uninterrupted power and water supply, efficient garbage management and effective policing and law and order?” the NGO asked.
Saying that given that the Mopa airport project will have serious implications on the lives of many people, Fr Rebello said that it was the people’s right and the government’s duty to help them understand the need for a second airport, when the existing Dabolim Airport is sufficient forever, particularly after the commissioning of the additional terminal building and in view of the vacant and under-utilised lands available for apron and other expansions in the future.
Accusing the governement of chosing to turn upon its own people and disrupt their lives by acquiring their lands and destroying their chosen way of life on a whim and a caprice even before conducting the mandatory Environment Impact Assessment that would reveal whether this project was permissible under the environment protection laws, GDFO said that it was distressing that the people’s trust, hopes and aspirations have been repaid with pedestrian, unimaginative and uninspired governance. Arguing that under his watch, Dabolim still remains the only airport in the country without a regular coach service connecting it to the various major towns. GDFO suggested that the connectivity of the Airport could be enhanced through involvemnt of the railway line just opposite the airport. Revenue generation of the airport too, could be boosted by connecting it with Mormugao Port, and coordinating cargo transportation.
