TEAM HERALD
CALANGUTE: In a desperate bid to counter growing opposition to the proposed Mopa airport, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has now taken an unusual recourse.
He has appealed to the business community in the State to start a campaign either on their company websites, personal pages or on other social media networks like Facebook in favour of the project.
In return, the chief minister has assured the business lobby that he would try his best to ensure that the state receives over 6 million tourists by 2016.
Speaking at the inaugural event of the ‘Destination One’ at Calangute on Tuesday night, Parrikar hit out at opponents of the Mopa airport, denouncing them as people opposed to any development in the State.
“There are people who do not want any development in the State and have been opposing Mopa. We want Mopa to be a reality in the interest of the State. For this to happen, I urge you to start a movement of sorts, either on your company websites, pages or on Facebook,” Parrikar appealed to the business stakeholders present at the meet.
Parrikar made it clear that the tourism industry would need to support him on the Mopa airport, if they wanted the state government to increase the number of tourists visiting the State.
“I will try my best to bring in more and more tourists to see that the figures cross 6 million by 2016. But for this to happen, Mopa airport should be a reality,” said Parrikar.
Parrikar commended the design and facilities at the GTDC property in Calangute and he urged the management to maintain the property and ensure cleanliness.
Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said that the GTDC properties would be given a similar facelift in other parts of the State.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo expressed satisfaction over the facelift to Calangute beach and hoped it would bring back foreign tourists who are keeping away due to untidiness.
GTDC Chairman Nilesh Cabral also addressed the gathering. Principal Secretary (Tourism) R K Srivastava and Director of Tourism Ameya Abhyankar were also present at the function.
Earlier, Soniya Srivastava, director of Tiger Camp, welcomed the gathering while Gavin Dias proposed the vote of thanks.
