MARGAO: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s decision to float the Request for Qualification (RFQ) for the proposed Mopa airport went without a whimper of protest in Salcete and Mormugao – the epicentre of the long-drawn movement to retain Dabolim as Goa’s only international airport.
The RFQ is the first official document of confirmed intent on the part of the government about the project, putting to an official end (if it was required) of any look back on the one airport demand of the anti-Mopa airport movement
None of the MLAs from the two talukas have reacted to the RFQ, leave alone lodge any protest against the government decision. Most of these MLAs, who had in the past sworn to protect Dabolim as Goa’s only international airport, have remained absolutely mum.
The two ministers, Avertano Furtado and Alina Saldanha, claimed they had raised their apprehensions to the RFQ at the cabinet, but failed to convince the chief minister and stop him from going ahead with the RFQ much against the sentiments of their constituents.
The chief minister’s assurances to the two ministers that he would hold interactions at Baina and Margao is being viewed by anti-Mopa protagonists as nothing but an eyewash with the exercise coming after the floating the RFQ.
What’s surprising to note is that there’s been no word from any of the Salcete-based regional outfits, which had championed the cause of Dabolim as Goa’s lone international airport. There’s been no reaction from the Congress which initiated the land acquisition proceedings but later agreed to put the Mopa airport in cold storage.
Explaining the situation, political analyst, Advocate Cleofato Coutinho said that one cannot expect the Congress to speak out against Mopa when party leaders from the north are strongly rooting for the second airport. “As far as the independents and other groups from Salcete are concerned, it appears they are content with the few goodies the government gives them on the development front”, he said.
Goans for Dabolim Only (GFDO) Convenor Fr Eremito Rebello, however, said the MLAs should either support the cause of one airport or face a public backlash. “It’s shocking that none of the MLAs spoke a word on the RFQ. They should read the RFQ proposal to understand the danger posed to Dabolim. These MLAs may be quiet, but the people will wake them up. We will go ahead with the mass movement irrespective whether the MLAs support the cause of one airport or not”, Fr Eremito warned.
On the role of the two Salcete ministers, Avertano Furtado and Alina Saldanha, in the cabinet meeting which cleared the RFQ proposal, Fr Eremito said the duo did not assert themselves against the Mopa airport exposing their lack of sincerity. “The duo should have opposed the RFQ tooth and nail at any cost. People of Navelim and Cortalim are certainly not in favour of Mopa. Their sentiments should have reflected at the cabinet meeting”, he said.
When his attention was drawn to Alina’s statement that the Mopa airport would not be built without the environment impact assessment (EIA) study, Fr Eremito termed it as a mere “eye wash”, demanding to know why the environment minister could not stop the chief minister from floating the RFQ. ‘There is still time for the MLAs to wake up and support the cause before they face the wrath of the people. We are going ahead with a mass movement. There’s no looking back with the government floating the RFQ”, he warned.
At the rate the anti-Mopa movement is progressing, lone ranger Fr Rebello may struggle to find mass in his movement.
