VASCO: The opposition Congress Party on Thursday alleged that the BJP government at the Centre and Goa were pressuring international airlines to shift their operations from Dabolim Airport to Mopa only to pave way for the closure of the civilian airport and to benefit the GMR Goa International Airport operating the Mopa Airport.
Congress leader Elvis Gomes said that a conspiracy has been hatched to close down the Dabolim International Airport built in1955 and appealed to the people not to vote for BJP as a mark of protest.
He warned that the highly convenient Dabolim-Gatwick sector would be the first casualty if Air India succumbs to the government pressure and shift its operations thereby disregarding the interests of the people of the State.
Stating that people are emotionally attached to the Dabolim Airport, Gomes charged that the government was working in the interest of the GMR Goa International Airport. The ongoing attempts to shift operations from Dabolim to Mopa will definitely close down the Dabolim Airport.
Gomes said that if international operations from Dabolim are disturbed, then sooner or later Dabolim will close down. He demanded that the BJP should clarify whether it is not pressuring and should promise that Dabolim will not shut. He said that Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho and other three BJP legislators from Mormugao taluka should come clear on what the government was upto.
Gomes said that the domestic sector will be unviable once international flights are diverted from Dabolim to Mopa Airport.
Vasco Block Congress Committee president Adv Melwin Fernandes said that Dabolim Airport is centrally located and benefits everyone.
He recalled that stakeholders were told that Dabolim Airport will not be shut once the Mopa Airport is made operational.
Cortalim Block Congress Committee President Peter D’Souza, said that there is fear that Dabolim Airport will be closed as cargo service will be shifted from Dabolim to Mopa. The BJP government is giving false promises, he said.
