MARGAO: The Navelim Civic and Consumer Forum (NCCF) has decided to support Orixtt Porjecho Awaz in its fight against the Defexpo in Quitol-Naqueri.
NCCF is against the change in land use, as the land was bought for an industrial estate and now sought to be given to the Defence Ministry.
“Already defence forces are occupying a large chunk of limited land in Goa and it is not necessary for Goa to sacrifice more land. Goa’s experience with the navy is not very good, as land is taken for short time and then they refuse to vacate, like with Dabolim airport. In fact, the request letter of the Defence Minister is for a permanent place,” said forum secretary Joseph Vaz.
NCCF felt that a better alternative would be the Seabird naval base in Karwar. “Or if Parrikar wants to take the benefit of “brand Goa”, then the Dabolim naval enclave satisfies all his requirements, i.e. close to the coast, with a runway, and in Goa. Security would not be a problem as the navy organizes Navy Week for civilians every year December,” said Vaz.
He continued, “The same area could be used for Defexpo. The navy has vast area of unused land in Dabolim and the same could be put to good use with minimum costs as the infrastructure is available, unlike in Quitol, where everything will have to be built afresh.”
Vaz also said that if Dabolim was chosen as the venue, the transportation cost for men and equipment would drop significantly as the area had an airport and was close to a seaport. He added, “The Defexpo is just four days. It would be a criminal waste of public funds to transport and develop the area for just four days.”
NCCF also pointed out that Goans were objecting to a second airport (Mopa) in Goa, and here the Defence Minister was building a third airport.
“The place is accessible by only two roads, which are narrow, and hence, will lead to congestion and danger to the lives of the locals,” said Vaz.
