MARGAO: Goans for Dabolim Only (GFDO) has questioned the validity of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s latest assurance that the Goa Government “has already taken a decision to retain Dabolim Airport once Mopa becomes a reality.”
GFDO at a press conference pointed out that Parrikar’s statement is contradicted by the Goa Development Report of the Planning Commission (2011), which clearly states that Dabolim airport will be released to the naval authorities once the new airport at Mopa takes shape and becomes operational.
GFDO also drew the Defence Minister’s attention to the fact that the Mormugao Surface Utilization Plan issued by the State Level Committee for Regional Plan for Goa – 2021 also shows Goa International Airport at Dabolim as a fully defence domestic airport with no existing transportation connectivity to civilian areas for horizon year 2021.
“The total contradiction between Defence Minister Parrikar’s lightly given verbal assurance and the contents of the documents that tell the actual story, including the ICAO and ADPi expert reports, which casts serious doubts on the economic viability and feasibility of two airports clearly stating that “one airport is the best solution for Goa” raises grave questions on the credibility of his assurance. In any case, the track record of the BJP state government in the last five years has certainly not been marked by matching performance with assurances and promises,” said Fr Eremito Rebello.
“How can Defence Minister Parrikar assure that two airports will be maintained in Goa when the metropolitan cities of Bangalore and Hyderabad having air traffic many times the magnitude of Goa, could not sustain two airports and closed down the old airports despite firm assurances to the contrary? This will be even more so in Goa when thanks to Parrikar’s steamrolling of the Mopa Airport project, the cream of the State’s tourism industry will be handed over by the BJP government on a silver platter to the virgin beaches of neighbouring Maharashtra, dealing a body blow to Goa’s precarious economy and only surviving industry” he added.
“In fact, the infrastructure that the ill advised and unnecessary Mopa Airport will need calls for massive land resources, which will result in displacement of Goans, loss of agricultural land and destruction of community resources, ecology and environment,” said Edwin Pinto.
The GFDO further said that in the light of the BJP government’s past track record of U turns and unfulfilled promises, Parrikar needs to make public the data supported with facts and figures based upon which his assurance has been made. The adhoc manner of functioning, unsupported by realistic and scientific facts, figures, data and studies that has been the hallmark of BJP rule in Goa for the past five years, has certainly not helped in instilling confidence in the promises and assurances of Parrikar and the BJP government.
“The IPB, the third Mandovi Bridge and Pernem to Canacona Expressway being constructed without requisite environmental clearances are dire and distressing signs of the adhoc and autocratic nature of our present governance. Goan agricultural land and Goan homes are in the process of being destroyed for the second “signature” Zuari Bridge at Agassaim, and mangroves are being “decimated” at Cortalim, without even the pretence of an EIA study. The innumerable broken promises based upon which this government was elected to power are clear indications of its lack of integrity and intention to keep to its word,” Pinto alleged.
GFDO has appealed to all Goans to apply their minds and match the assurances with the reality while exercising their democratic rights wisely and judiciously. Or else, GFDO feels that the people may find themselves in the unhappy position of having bartered economy, land, identity and ecology in exchange for unfulfilled promises, empty assurances and broken dreams.
