5 gram sabhas oppose move for new airport
TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Opposition to Mopa airport reverberated around Salcete countryside on Sunday with as many as five gram sabhas joining their counterparts to oppose the proposed airport.
At Assolna, gram sabha members in one voice opposed government’s plan to build the airport at Mopa, demanding that Dabolim be expanded and retained as Goa’s lone international airport. Members urged the government to scrap Mopa and respect the sentiments of the people.
The airport issue also echoed at the gram sabha of Betalbatim with members unanimously opposing the government plan. They also demanded expansion of Dabolim with all international facilities and retain it as Goa’s only civilian airport.
Seraulim gram sabha members too unanimously resolved to demand scrapping of Mopa airport and urged the government to upgrade Dabolim as Goa’s international airport.
At Chinchinim, gram sabha members urged the Panchayat body to send the resolution opposing Mopa to the government. They pointed out that Mopa airport would spell doom for Goa’s economy and demanded Dabolim’s upgradation.
The Chandor gram sabha also passed a resolution opposing Mopa with members requesting the panchayat body to forward the resolution to the government for necessary action.
Sources in the know said the issue generated much heat at the Aquem-Baixo panchayat gram sabha. While gram sabha members demanded a resolution opposing Mopa and retaining Dabolim as Goa’s only civilian airport, a rival group tried to oppose the resolution.
