Centre approves Mopa airport, Dabolim to stay
PTI (NEW DELHI) | 11 June 2010 10:13 IST
The central government yesterday approved the setting up of a greenfield international airport in Mopa area of Goa through private participation and decided not to close down commercial operations at the existing Dabolim airport.
The government also decided not to change the present provisions prohibiting a second airport from coming up within 150 kms of an existing one, thus allaying apprehensions among the locals about the possibility of the Dabolim airport being closed down once the new one started operations.This policy was one of the reasons cited for closure of the old airports in Bangalore and Hyderabad when the new airports were opened there. However, an exception is being made in the case of Goa.
"There was a lot of discussion on the issue," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters here after announcing the Union Cabinet's green signal to the proposal to set up the greenfield airport at Mopa.
The existing airport at Dabolim in Goa will continue to function even when the greenfield international airport comes up at Mopa in north Goa. The new facility will come up about 80 km away from the Dabolim airport.
The latest decision reverses a Union Cabinet decision of March 2000, which called for closing the existing airport when the greenfield airport in Goa becomes operational.
"Goa will have two airports - one in the north and another in south Goa. There is no change in the existing Government policy on construction of airports," Ms Soni, told newspersons after the Cabinet meeting.
Official sources said that both the airports would handle domestic and international passengers.
An official statement stated that the decision to have two airports has been taken after several representations were made to a six-member committee constituted to examine the issue.
"The Committee got a fresh study conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation on the possibility of co-existence of both Dabolim and Mopa airports. The study revealed that it was possible to operate both the airports with equitable distribution of traffic between them," the statement adds.
The Goa Government will now have to start work on the construction of the airport, which is to be built on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer basis. A private entity will be selected through a global tendering process to construct the airport.
The current airport in Goa belongs to the Navy, with the Airports Authority of India maintaining a civil enclave to facilitate operation of flights by commercial airlines.
(Inputs from Business Line)
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really the way this destructive projects are getting sanctioned t the cost of greenery is very dangerous, this new airport how much land it will destroy 500 to 1000 or 2000 acres of agri, plantation and forest lands, once this airport comes up then the stupidity of new hotels, news SEZs, new rich housing colonies etc. so additional 5000 acres will be destroyed, next road expansion, 6 lanes, 8 lanes etc. from airport to the major cities another 4000 acres will be destroyed so Goa will loose 10,000 to 12000 acres of green mass to cater to whims and fancies of these small petty minded and greedy network of policy makers, builders. Please NGT ban this
- Gundppa Srinivas, Bengaluru | 29 th October 2015 11:21
Congress in Goa must dropped Mr. Rane, Sardinha,and
more from party who demand to have mopa airport.These
leaders looking benefit to maharashtra state and overall
Rane we know always support marathi language. Mr. Rane
must settle in somewhere maharashtra colony. Now Mr.
Rane act like Bandodkar who want to sell Goa to Mah.
- Sanjay Kumar, Margao | 29 th April 2013 17:16
Mario, Can't your South Goans move to Mopa/North Goa to take up those taxi driver, sweeper, toilet cleaner jobs at the airport?
- John, UAE | 14 th April 2013 22:58
Mopa is for Maharashtra. We must stop it at any cost. Thousands of South Goans will lose their jobs man.
- Mario, Vasco | 14 th April 2013 12:42
YES, YES, YES to MOPA airport.
Forget all selfishness and let Goa grow.
This is not about north and south. It is
about the good of Goa for all Goans and
guests.
3 cheers to MOPA
- D. Ferns, Goa | 10 th April 2013 13:28
MOPA IS NOT FOR GOAN ITS ONLY FOR MAHARASHTRA & FOR MINISTERS OF GOA. AND MOPA IS ONLY BENITIFS FOR MAHARASHTRA.
i dont know why people make such comments the airport is for the benifit of goa or maharastra we are indians and we have to thinks like indian.Churchill want the airport in south goa if the same churchill was in north he would have said i want it in north goa.airport is only a reason for people to talk when it comes for vote this minister go all the way from margao to end of north goa and i remember when churchill made his own party ugdp he came to pernem and gave a big speech for the development of pernem now where are those promises.we have to support only those people who think of goa globally and not north and south goa.if some one needs to make problemes there are many ways like we the people of south goa go to north goa for our job why we dnt think at that time that the office should be in south and not in north.so i think this matter is just a reason for the people to talk we have to be proud that we are getting a new airport where our new generation will get employment.
- shlok, margao | 21 st November 2010 21:04
i would rather say a yes to the MOPA airport.....
since both the airports are gonna be operating it would be good.
reasons:
1. North Goa people would feel it easier to travel to MOPA rather than going to Dabolim
2. I suppose that the Dabolim airport is a Navy airport and they are letting it to be used so .. from now on it would be easier for the navy to operate if the traffic is divided between the two airports..
3. And of course we would get more tourist, getting n more revenue.
- Rahul, mapusa | 24 th October 2010 12:43
MOPA IS NOT FOR GOAN ITS ONLY FOR MAHARASHTRA & FOR MINISTERS OF GOA. AND MOPA IS ONLY BENITIFS FOR MAHARASHTRA. IF THE INDIAN GOVT KEPT DABOLIM AIRPORT ALSO A INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IT WILL BE NOT SOO PROBLEM BUT IF NOT WHAT THE HELL WE WILL DO PEOPLE FROM SOUTH. AS I THINK THE MINISTERS IS THE MAIN PROBLEM IN GOA COZ THEY WANT THE MONEY BUT THEY DONT WANT GOAN SOO WE ALL GOAN SHOULD WAKE UP & STOP THIS COME ON......
- franscis, canacona | 11 th October 2010 10:56
will the Goa Government follow this while compensating the VICTIMS of this project.
Haryana government's rehabilitation policy, which has provisions for acquisition of land at market rates and an annuity for 33 years, should be sent to all states as a model legislation.
Read more: Land acquisition amendment bill in next Parliament session, assures PM - India - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Land-acquisition-amendment-bill-in-next-Parliament-session-assures-PM/articleshow/6433735.cms#ixzz0yOvmzoxx
- Anthony, Pereira | 03 rd September 2010 00:43
I say yes to Mopa, it will only do the Goan economy good, most tourists I know enjoy Goa and will in their life always go back and to visit both parts of Goa North & South. I do agree the land owners should get a good deal for the land they own.
- Ken, UK | 28 th July 2010 13:24
It would be really nice to have 2 airports in Goa.As more tourists can visit our place which inturn is good for the business of goa.It also be a good benefit for North goan people...Lets see how it works!
- joeboy, majorda | 16 th July 2010 14:24
The project of Mopa Airport should be scrapped altogether as it is not viable and in the interest of the Goan people. Any lay person in the right frame of mind will agree that the airport should be in the heart of any state (thats where Dabolim airport is located). Instead of spending crores on the new airport at mopa, the government should expand and develop the existing airport as there is enough land available around the existing one. Maybe its time we goans unite and stand up on this issue and show the government that we are not going to take their stupid plans lying down.
- Roger, Aldona | 14 th July 2010 17:45
ITS GOOD THAT IF THE AIRPORT WILL BE AT DABOLIM ONLY COZ MANY HOTELIER WIL GWT EFFECTED IN SOUTH SIDE,AND MOPA AIRPORT IS CLOSER TO MUMBAI SO THAT REASON MANY TOURIST CANT MOVE OR SE GOA PROPERLY,AND IT BIG PROBLEM TO SOUTH GOA HOTELS
THANX
- shaikh Riyaz ahmed, GOA,VASCO DA GAMA | 02 nd July 2010 09:09
Brijesh you really deserve praise. Our Goans has fallen asleep or are eager only to applaud the seller Bandodkar. TODAY WE ARE GOANS BECAUSE of the good DR. JACK SEQUEIRA and his colleagues (hindus as well as muslims) But The good Dr. was the main man to hold Goa - MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.
- Jane De Sa, Margao | 28 th June 2010 01:31
Dear Mr. Brijesh Kanaujia, I was really touched by your honest declaration in your comment below. You have kept a good proper track of History. It is a real shame that most of the Goans are trying to forget the saviour and are applauding the seller. Our Goans should now open up their eyes by reading what Mr. Brijesh has written below. Goans have been installing statues and other memoirs of Bandodkar, hailing him as the Hero without even thinking for a second that this Hero Bandodkar was out to sell Goa to Maharashtra. The real Hero and Saviour of Goa Dr. Jack de Sequeira is sidelined and almost forgotten. Wake up Goans – HINDUS, MUSLIMS & CHRISTIANS. Hail this Hero who kept you as GOANS and not the Hero who wanted to make you MAHARASHTRIANS. Time to put up his statue in PANJIM where the real history of Goa will shine. It’s a shame that Mr. Brijesh had to come out with it. Another thing that bothers me always and will bother me till the end of my life is why is the PANDIT of KONKANI, the father of KONKANI from Bicholim Pt. SHENOI GOEMBAB till date not honoured. Statues of SHIVAJI who is not a Goan are seen put up in different places in Goa but I did not find a single statue of SHENOI GOEMBAB (Pandit Valaulikar). Shame on the Bicholkars specially because Pt. Goembab is from Bicholim and they done nothing to erect the statue of this great scholar and champion of Konkani. WAKE UP GOANS! – Menino (Valpoi)
- Menino G. P. T. Fernandes (Valpoi/UK), United Kingdom of Great Britain | 26 th June 2010 16:12
My parents are originally from Gujrat but I was born and brought up in Goa.I myelf treat a pure goan.People of Goa are so generous and kind no doubt about it.They do not belelive in cast,creed, or you belong which religion never heard from goans. I am proud about that being myself goan.Since opinion poll Dr. Jack Sequire was great hero cause of opinion poll.We must not forget about his role to keep us Goa free from Maharashtra otherwise we called also Mahrashtrian. Mr. Bandodkar wanted to sell and
merge Goa to Maharashtra his backdoor idea was not sucess because of Dr. Jack. But let me tell goans what we have done for him or any statues or picture to visiable our
generation to the cause of hero.One who want to sell Goa was Mr. Bandodkar picture
visiable.Goans must come forward and built
Dr. Jack Sequire picture all over Goa.Our politician completely nuts they are only fit for nothing only fill the pockets with corrupt money.DR. JACK SEQUIRE HERO OF GOA
- Brijesh Kanaujia, Margao | 26 th June 2010 11:16
Yes it is quite obvious that after the Mopa airport is built, the funds for the maintenance of dabolim airport will be not be sanctioned thereby automatically shutting down the Dabolim airport for civil traffic and the people of South Goa and the Hotel Industry in South Goa will bear the brunt! The corrupt politicians who have purchased land in and around Mopa will reap the fruits!
- vishwas prabhudesai, loliem | 15 th June 2010 19:46
we the people of goa are like the scapegoats. fall prey to any bulsshit. initially mr. churcill was fighting to stop the airport project at mopa and promised it never to happen. my foot its a big lie. all this ministers have properties i.e land purchased all around mopa. anyways once the project is approved by the central government nobodys father can do anything. that even mr churchill knows and even we do. it is all lies and cries of ministers with false promises. do not belive any of them. now they say dabolim airport will stay even after the mopa airport comes up. so we say and challenge churchill that after in a couple of months of the mopa airport starting, we will find out that the dabolim airport will only be for navy. god gracious who on earth will have any right to say no. we will cry. tears will come but as time passes it will dry and we will forget. we will have no other way but to travel through mopa. cheers churchill, goans are impressed but only those without brains like you.
- goalover, dubai | 15 th June 2010 17:07
Mopa Airport is the need of the hour otherwise we are not far away from seeing the tragedy happened on Bajpe Airport in Mangalore/ Manglapuram...So I urge Govt. to build Mopa Airport as soon as possible.
- Nilesh Shetgaonkar, Morjim/Dubai | 15 th June 2010 15:54
GOA MOTHERLAND IS CENTRAL GOVERNMENT FATHER'S PROPERTY. THE GOA STATE GOVERNMENT IS BOWING FLAT ON THE GROUND FOR SONIA MATA. Digambar, Churchill are the "THIRD GENDER" of Goa and needs to wear BANGLES. Mopa Airport and why is there a need? The Congress I (IDIOTS) needs CRORES from the side line of Mopa Project for the next ELECTION. Its a scavenger act the government is doing by selling it's own kits and kins of Goa.
- Emediavoices, Goa | 15 th June 2010 09:24
jane de sa / mr churchill the big bully is enjoying in burj al arab dubai, with whose money god knows. might be he has got his qota against the dabolim airport and gone in hibernation. any how great time to enjoy when his rival mouse is in deep trouble.
- justin, goa | 15 th June 2010 05:07
Welcome the comment of Jane De Sa, Margao. Jane let me tell you something, you never believe those goons.
Their action command very high but behind hidden loophole.Once they fill their wallet they never turn. Those ministers now got good portfolio our india does not require
education you can hold any type of portfolio
education,pwd,home and many more.
- Domnick, Goa | 14 th June 2010 17:17
Now the issue of Mopa airport hotting up again. The goans raise their voice on many ocassions but our elected leaders are so proud because they are the ones who fill their wallets with corrupt money.Why is the government so keen having second airport. Dabolin airport is world top most airport you can say.Then government is pushing Goa politicians are double standard, people have to decided next election. We need Dabolin and not Mopa those who really think about
Mopa they have to move close to mopa airport. Konkan railway approved congress, Mopa approved congress, Anderson to leave
country approved congress. Who said congress government is clean, they are the first and worst corrupt government in India..
- Domnick Rodrigues, Verna/Nuvem | 14 th June 2010 17:08
Where is Churchill now? Is he too busy with contracts? He has forgotten that he instigated people to fight against the Mopa airport and vowed that he will never allow it to happen. Where is that vow now?
- Jane De Sa, Margao | 12 th June 2010 14:58
The prices of land plots purchased by the corrupt politicians in vicinity of Mopa will increase multifold after the airport is built. It is a common sense that the airport has to be in a central place so that it is easily approached from all parts of Goa and that was the reason why it was constructed in Dabolim. Right thing would be to send the Navy to Mopa so that its operations could remain away from the crowded Vasco/ Murmgao cities and the Dabolim Airport could have been expanded to meet the increasing future traffic! i only wish in the long run the Dabolim airport is not closed down by throttling funds for its maintenance and the people of South Goa are not forced to land in Pernem making their journey miserable and time consuming!
- vishwas prabhudesai, loliem | 12 th June 2010 09:05
Has the Centre (we mean Goa Govt is a thumb stamp of UPA Congress Govt) taken into account the plights of Mopa Villagers? Will the global contract be awarded to Italy's Mafias of Sonia Gandhi? Goa must not allow the flora and fauna to destroy for the sake of Delhite or central command of Congress. Awake Goa, where is our colleague IIT'ian Manohar? sleeping?
- Emediavoices, Goa | 11 th June 2010 16:10
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