GFDO pooh poohed Defence Minister Parrikar’s latest “concrete assurance”, given without any facts and figures to back up his claim, that Dabolim Airport would be retained even after Mopa Airport becomes operational.
“The people of Goa are well aware of Parrikar’s unbeaten track record of broken promises and unfulfilled dreams. The ever expanding fleet of casinos in the Mandovi River and the brazen U-turn on Special Status are distressing testimony to the fact that the BJP and Parrikar’s concept of “concrete assurances” differs widely from that of the people of Goa,” said Eremito Rebello.
GFDO challenged Parrikar to back his assurance with concrete facts and figures put out by the expert reports and prove to the people of Goa that his two airport theory is viable and economically feasible.
“The people of Goa need to know why their BJP government is using precious Goan resources and taxpayers hard-earned money to build an airport that they claim will ultimately serve 28 million passengers, when the airport in the metropolis of Bangalore, handles just 18 million passengers. This gives substance to the strong suspicion that Mopa is being built to cater to the needs of Maharashtra tourism.”
asked Edwin Pinto of the GFDO.
However, GFDO said if Parrikar truly believes that two airports are feasible, then he must explain why he and his party have been deliberately withholding crucial and promised infrastructure for the efficient functioning of Dabolim International Airport. In fact, at least now, Parrikar should ensure that Dabolim gets the land for city side parking, promised by his new found friend Mauvin Godinho, who was instrumental in getting Sy.8/1 denotified and handed over to a commercial builder.
The inordinate delay in constructing the parallel taxiway, promised aero-bridges and proposed hangars in the place occupied by the old terminal building do not lend credebility to Parrikar’s “concrete assurance”. It may be recalled that the Navy had also promised to provide extra land for Dabolim’s civil aviation requirements. This could have easily been facilitated by Parrikar in his current avatar of Defence Minister, but remains still pending. The people of Goa would also like to be updated on yet another of Parrikar’s “concrete assurances” regarding an investigation on the Navy’s golf course and football field within the airport premises that occupies precious Goan land needed for civil aviation purposes.
GFDO said it was a pity that Parrikar’s actions do not support his “concrete assurances”.
However, promises made with an eye on the elections are nothing new to the Goan electorate. “This time, however, Goans will not be hoodwinked by empty assurances. If Parrikar wishes to be taken seriously, he should first fulfill all the above promised pending requirements for the streamlining and increased efficiency of Dabolim Airport’s civil aviation” said GFDO.
