Lenny Barretto -Panaji
Daijiworld Media Network Goa
Panaji, Jan 31: International airport controversy fears to raise its head again with the committee headed by Goa chief minister Digamber Kamat giving its node for this Greenfield airport project on Goa-Maharashtra border.
Based on the report submitted by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the committee comprising of members of parliament Shripad Naik, Fransisco Sardinha and Shantaram Naik besides the chief minister and chief secretary J P Singh, has given in principle approval for the project.
The committee headed by Kamat has said that this airport is required as existing Dabolim airport will get more congested and will not be able to handle the air traffic in the years to come.
Goa is increasingly getting popular as tourism destination and also huge chunk of corporate clients fly to this state on the western coast.
Mired in political controversies, the project has always been objected by south goa politicians including state public works department minister Churchill Alemao. Alemao had even led a public campaign against the airport which stemmed from the contention that Mopa airport will eliminate economy in South Goa.
Alemao, who left congress and formed his own political outfit named Save Goa Front, which had oppose to international airport as one of the agenda, is now finding himself amidst thick clouds.
This former congressman has already merged his party into congress and now will have to abide by the decisions taken by congress leadership.
What will Alemao do now? This south goa politician has already issued a press statement opposing the airport. But he seems to be rather toothless this time. He can just verbally argue but can't act. Any action of his which is against the leadership can invite him disciplinary action.
So, if circumstances are studied, it is ample clear that Mopa airport will be a reality. But when it will actually materialize is a thing to ponder about.