TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Dissent over the airport issue was visible within the ranks of the Nationalist Congress Party on Friday with party leader Trajano D’Mello talking in favour of the project, while its youth wing Chief Yuri Alemao saying a firm no.
The outspoken leader Trajano D’Mello said the NCP supports the evolution of Mopa, while at the same time wants Dabolim to continue with a second runway, but NCP youth wing Chief Yuri Alemao was categorical in saying that Mopa would spell doom for South Goa.
NCP’s senior Vice-President Jose Philip D’Souza also supports Dabolim as Goa’s lone civilian airport.
While addressing the media on the sidelines of the NCP youth membership drive here this evening, Trajano said the party is of the firm opinion that that while Mopa should evolve after protecting the interests of the land losers, Dabolim airport should continue with a second run way. “The party is of the firm opinion that Mopa airport would evolve as development is a process. While Mopa evolves, the party demands a second runway for Dabolim,” he said.
“At Mopa, the farmers should be paid five times the market value for the land losers. Nothing stops the government from enhancing the compensation. The land losers should also get jobs. The government should not spend a single paisa on Mopa,” he observed.
However, after the meeting, Yuri told Herald that he is totally in favour of Dabolim as Goa’s lone airport. “Dabolim’s closure will destroy Goa’s economy. Mopa would spell doom for Goa in the long run,” he added.
When contacted later, Jose Philip D’Souza said he was totally in favour of Dabolim airport.
