From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Oct 2: The Indian Navy will not shift their Goa base elsewhere as the huge naval expansion plan at INS Hansa base is in the pipeline, top naval official said today.
Squadron of Mig 29 will be based in Goa while we will also have light combat aircrafts coming in. There are lot of plans and being defence plans we cannot open it to everybody," Indian Navy's Chief Staff Officer (Air) Comd B S Parhar said.
"Few years down the line there are lot of inductions planned. The maintenance and other facilities too are planned alongside which will require the space," he stated.
The Indian Navy for the first time today cleared air over the allegations that it has been hogging land at Dabolim airbase restraining the expansion of this airport, which is increasingly getting strained.
Goa's political leaders including former member of parliament Churchill Alemao have been raking up the issue of Navy's bullying attitude.
Participating in the discussion organised by Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI), Goa's Rajya Sabha member Shantaram Naik bitterly criticised Indian Navy for land holdings hindering the Dabolim airport expansion plans.
Naik stated that Rs 500-crore Dabolim airport expansion plans are forced to be curtailed due to Indian Navy's non cooperation. The airport was handed over to the Indian Navy post-Goa liberation and is managed by them.
Comdt Parhar snubbed allegations that that the Indian Navy is absolutely not posing any hurdle in expansion plan as it clearly understands the requirement of airport expansion.
"Military airfield is military airfield… It's difficult to be established elsewhere. Everything needs a space and here (in Goa) we have lot of plans," he said.
Apparently disturbed with the negative media publicity to the Indian Navy over the airport expansion, Comdt Parhar said that they have a purpose to stay at that place. 'The purpose has not come just two days back. The land was groomed to the stage what you see today," Comdt Parhar added.
He said that the Indian Navy will continue contributing for the civil aviation movement on this airport.
The Naval officer pointed out that they have opened the airport for 24 hours operations curtailing the naval flying hours. "We do understand the requirement of tourism industry and hence we are not just looking after the military requirements," he said.