Team Herald
PANJIM: Water-tight security is in place for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is arriving in Goa on Sunday.
Top officers of Goa Police and Special Protection Group (SPG) reviewed bandobast arrangements ahead of Modi’s visit. A strong force of security personnel has been deployed for bandobast duty during the Prime Minister’s visit.
Modi will address the valedictory function of 9th World Ayurveda Congress and also inaugurate three National AYUSH Institutes in virtual mode, at Campal grounds at 3.30 pm.
At 5 pm, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the International Airport at Mopa, Pernem, developed at a cost of around Rs 2,870 crore.
However, there is no mention of opening of signature Zuari Bridge though it was stated in the past that the new four-lane bridge would be inaugurated by the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, according to the buzz in the political grapevine, the ruling BJP seems to be confident that the new international airport at Mopa will be named after former Union Defence Minister and ex-Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar, and that Modi will make an official announcement on Sunday.
However, the Prime Minister in his official Twitter handle made no mention of the naming of the new airport. “In Goa, I will be addressing the 9th World Ayurveda Congress. I will also be inaugurating the Mopa International Airport, Goa. This airport will promote the local economy and be a major boost for tourism,” he stated in his Tweet.
Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, who arrived in Goa on Saturday, reiterated that both the international airports - Dabolim and Mopa - will co-exist.
Protocol Minister Mauvin Godinho, who received Scindia on his arrival at Dabolim airport, said, “Goa is an exceptional case where both airports will be functional. The Union Minister is going to declare this on Sunday.”
The PIB in a statement issued, stated that the current passenger handling capacity of Dabolim airport is 8.5 MPPA (million passengers per annum). With Mopa airport coming into operation, the total passenger handling capacity will be around 13 MPPA. Also, taking into account the full expansion capacity, the airports in Goa have the potential to increase from around 10.5 to 43.5 MPPA, PIB stated.
The Dabolim Airport offers direct connections to 15 domestic and six international locations. Through Mopa airport, these will increase to 35 domestic and 18 international locations. Also, while there was no night parking facility at Dabolim airport, Mopa airport has the provision for night parking facility. Moreover, while there was no cargo terminal at Dabolim, the Mopa airport will have the facility with a handling capacity of 25,000 MT.
The foundation stone of the airport was laid by the Prime Minister in November 2016.