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MARGAO: Strongly rooting for Dabolim, but at the same time saying he is not against Mopa to meet the future requirements, South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha said he has convened a meeting of the Parliamentary Estimates Committee on January 31 in Delhi to discuss the Dabolim airport issue.
Without taking names, he took potshots at Goemkar president Vijai Sardessai, saying “their mouths were locked when they were in the Congress. Now, they have raked up the issue since they are out of the Congress,” adding that he would not hesitate to lead an agitation if any attempt is made to hurt the interests of Dabolim airport.
Sardinha said he had opposed Mopa around 6-7 years ago when then Additional Secretary, Union Civil Aviation Ministry said that Dabolim will be closed down when Mopa becomes a reality. “But the central officials came back after two months and reassured that both Dabolim and Mopa would co-exist like in America and Europe,” he said.
He reminded those creating doubts in the minds of the people on the closure of Dabolim airport that the Centre has sanctioned Rs 500 crore for Dabolim’s expansion, saying an amount of Rs 380 crore has already spent on the project. “These people should remove from their mind that Dabolim will be closed down. People should not be misguided with an eye on the elections. Like frogs some have started making their noise because of the Lok Sabha polls. You cannot fool the people,” he said.
Replying to a question, he said that the Greenfield airport would go to Sindhudurg if people oppose the airport at Mopa. “This will adversely affect progress in Pernem taluka,” he added.
Replying to a question on the state of affairs on the Goa unit of the Congress party, Sardinha said “I am happy, but there is always room for improvement.”
