TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The Congress Saturday stood exposed on its divided stand on Mopa airport, when Member of Parliament Francisco Sardinha pitched for the Greenfield project at Mopa, while insisting that Dabolim should continue to operate simultaneously.
His statement contradicts statements by party spokesmen Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco and Sudip Tamhankar, who have opposed the Mopa project.
Sardinha said at a press conference that he supports co-existence of both airports ~ Dabolim and Mopa, and the Canacona to Pernem highway, for swift commuting.
“I will not do anything that will affect people of Goa, especially South Goa. Dabolim should not be closed down when Mopa comes. I have already made my stand clear on this,” he said, adding he may seek sanction of additional funds for creating parking space near the Dabolim airport.
The MP explained the need for an international airport at Mopa, saying that if it does not come up at the site, the project will be shifted to Sindhudurg, Maharashtra.
On the other hand, Congress Legislature Party’s spokesman Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco has been opposing the project claiming it is being forced on the people of Goa. The party’s spokesman Sudip Tamhankar has also voiced his opposition to the project. The two leaders have said the intention of taking up Mopa project is to close down the existing Dabolim international airport.
Sardinha, when questioned on the contradictory statements coming from the Congress, said that he will take up the issue with the party. “I want to tell people not to get carried away by gossip,” he added as he reiterated his support for both the airports.
