VASCO: Rear Admiral Puneet Kumar Bahl has said that the Navy was allowing 24 hours of commercial flight operations at Dabolim airport, giving a huge fillip to the Goan economy, as the airport has witnessed a steep rise in the inflow of tourist traffic and charter flights.
He was speaking on the 45th Navy Day celebration held at the Navy House, on Sunday. Governor Mridula Sinha was the chief guest for the event. MLA Mauvin Godinho, former chiefs of Naval Staff Adm Arun Prakash (retd) and Adm Suresh Mehta (retd) were also present along with a large gathering of retired and serving senior naval officers and civilian dignitaries.
“Indian navy and particularly INS Hansa have historic ties with Goa. The Airport at Dabolim is maintained and serviced by the Indian navy and allow 24 hours of operations. This requires considerable resources, man hours and efforts on the part of the Navy. Today, Dabolim is one amongst the few non-metro airports that receives category E aircrafts such as Boeing 747 jumbo. Apart from meeting national strategic and tactical requirements, the airport has witnessed a steep rise in the inflow of tourist traffic and charter flights,” he said.
Bahl further said, “Approximately 65 passenger flights operate per day from Dabolim. This has indeed provided a huge fillip to the economy of Goa. As the economy and tourist industry in Goa grow further, another major fillip has been provided to it with the laying of foundation stone for Mopa Airport by PM Narendra Modi,” he said.
On the role played by the Navy in safeguarding the Coast, he said, “The coast will be protected to the best of our abilities against any undesirable intrusions from the sea. Sagar Kavach that is conducted every six months provides an excellent platform for all stake holders to ensure that our mission of safeguarding the shores of Goa remains paramount.”
“Also, the Navy has been assisting to the civil administration and the locals. There is a team of highly trained and skilled divers of the clearance diving unit who have been instrumental in ensuring that many lives in the Goan waters are saved in time,” he said.
