From Sanjay Borkar in Margao
for Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)
Margao, Aug 17: Navelim MLA and now a minister in Congress-led government Churchill Alemao has reiterated that he would never give a chance for the commissioning of a second Airport in Goa. He would always oppose it and would fight for making Dabolim airport fully commercial.
Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel had recently said that his ministry would not only improve the existing Dabolim airport and build the proposed Mopa airport in Pernem. He also said that the state could even have a third airport in South Goa if the need arises with time.
Reacting to this statement Alemao said that he would not only oppose a second Airport in Goa, let alone a third one which could just be useless.
As per aviation rules and regulations, there cannot be two airport within 100 kms of aerial distance from each other. So there was no question of a second airport, Mopa at Pernem, said Alemao further.
Alemao said he would oppose Mopa airport on this technical point.
"In the election manifesto of the Save Goa Front, we had opposed the Mopa Airport. We are sticking to it. Although 500 crores rupees have been allotted for improvement Dabolim Airport, the work of the same is not being seen. I don’t know where that money is being used," Alemao quizzed.
"The Union minister for Civil Aviation should give in writing that Dabolim will be only used for commercial and not for any other purpose," Alemao demanded.
While most of the Congress MLAs are keen to see the Mopa airport in reality, the Save Goa Front MLA and minister Alemao is opposing the plan. When asked about this, Alemao said that how he would tackle this problem by speaking to Praful Patel and solve the issue amicably.
When asked if anytime Opposition lea"I will have to think on that."
Read more on Mopa, from Daijiworld archives: