Dabolim only passenger, cargo export from Mopa: CM

GOANEWS & PTI, PANAJI | 30 January 2013 21:23 IST

Chief minister Manohar Parrikar today revealed in the House that Dabolim air port would be used only for passenger traffic while Mopa air port would be used to handle international cargo, besides additional burden of passenger traffic.

He was replying to the half an hour debate held on the issue of Mopa air port that has been a controversy in Goa over a decade now.

Fatorda MLA Vijay Sardesai, while forming an organisation - Goenkar, has raked up the issue once again, claiming that Mopa would result into closing down Dabolim air port.

according to Parrikar, Dabolim airport will not be able to cope with the projected increase in the traffic in the next two years.

“Dabolim airport is already handling 3.7 million passengers annually. The arrivals will touch six million mark in next two years and then the airport would be insufficient to handle the traffic,” Parrikar said in the state Legislative Assembly today.

Sardesai expressed apprehension that Mopa airport will result in closure of Dabolim facility, affecting the tourism in South Goa.

Parrikar said navy used the Dabolim airport during prime time, which should have been allotted to the civilian aircraft.

“If we continue with the Dabolim, then we will have to restrain our air capacity,” Parrikar said.

The chief minister also said the airstrip at the new airport would be longer allowing the wide-bodied aircraft to land.

“The existing airstrip at Dabolim is much shorter, restricting the kind of aircraft that can be allowed,” he said.

Parrikar also pointed out Mopa has been proposed to handle cargo meant for export.

Besides Goa, Parrikar said the whole belt up to Konkan, Kolhapur, Nasik and Hubli produces one of the richest agricultural products including mangoes and vegetables.

"This would be exported from Mopa while we will be able to handle additional requirement of passenger traffic", clarified the chief minister.

When Sardesai raised the issue of feasibility report, Parrikar clarified ultimately no bidder would come forward to set up Mopa air port unless it is feasible.


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Previous Comments

Parrikar, is turning out and playing same drama which congress recently played in Goa by D.Kamat, Alemao, etc.

Goa and Goans are very much comfortable with Dabolim Airport, and if this airport is extended its very well enough for increasing traffic.

Mopa airport is good for Maharastrians which are near to goan border, and Mopa airport is very far for goans except residence of panjim & nearby areas.

come on parrikar govt. started fooling people of goa,

- , Dubai, UAE | 03 rd February 2013 23:47

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAH. Actually, i have not read a single line in this report, the headline itself made me laugh. Parikar, you are turning out to be a copy cat of Churchill Alemao----

The judges of the recent award you got must be wondering if they are dreaming or indeed idiots!!!!

- Jaret de SIlva, Chandor | 31 st January 2013 04:58

 

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