TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Upping the ante in favour of Mopa airport, a group under the banner of ‘People for Mopa International Airport’ have demanded that Mopa be made the ‘only international airport’ and that the existing airport at Dabolim should be handed over to the Indian Navy as a defence base.
Addressing a press conference Thursday, People for Mopa International Airport (PFMIA) convenor Devendra Prabhudesai said that they appealed to the government to close down Dabolim airport and declare Mopa as the only international airport for the State.
“Dabolim should be handed over to the Navy completely… It is a fact that a State like Goa cannot sustain two airports. With Mopa airport coming up, Dabolim will die its natural death,” Prabhudesai said.
Pointing to the opposition to Mopa, Prabhudesai claimed it was a ‘myth’ and propaganda by few politicians from South Goa’s Salcete belt. “The entire South Goa is not against Mopa. Only the Salcete belt and the leaders are opposing it. The airport issue crops up only when elections are approaching,” he claimed.
PFMIA also alleged that certain quarters from South Goa are against development of Pernem Taluka. “They destroyed their fields for development and now have a problem if we want to develop. We admit that Mopa would have a wide impact on development of Pernem,” the convenor said.
PFMIA also demanded 90 per cent reservation in jobs for locals when the airport project takes final shape in North Goa. Prabhudesai said that they will urge the government to ensure that 90 per cent jobs are reserved while bidding for this Greenfield airport.
The leader claimed that more than 6,000 to 7,000 locals would be gainfully employed at Mopa airport once it takes final shape, providing much needed economic stability for Pernem taluka.
Dabolim should be handed over to the Navy completely… It is a fact that a State like Goa cannot sustain two airports… with Mopa airport coming up, Dabolim will die its natural death
— PFMIA convenor
Devendra Prabhudesai
