-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Add your name to the CLEAN GOA INITIATIVE | | | | by visiting this link and following the instructions therein | | | | http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/033926.html | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yesterday's HERALD carried a scathing attack by VM de Malar on GOG's (in)ability to provide new infrastructure by citing the one year experience with the costly NH4 bypass and its terrible current state. If one adds to this the sorry experience with the (costly!) 4 laning of DB Marg in Panjim for IFFI 2004 (without providing for storm water drains!), then the conclusion is inescapable that there are serious doubts about whether GOG can effectively handle mega projects now on the cards like Mopa airport, monorail/6-laning/expressway or whatever, 4000 seat-convention centre and the like. The problems of the removal of the River Princess, the accumulation of garbage in the state etc are already legendary.
On the other hand, we have the rather strange picture presented by the Navy (in dialogue reminiscent of the popular Katrina-the supermodel-proposed-to-me TV commercial) in which its top brass have admitted a few months ago to the media about feelers from the Karnataka Govt to ramp up Seabird into a full fledged international airport! The Navy already is under a bit of a cloud for moving in the opposite direction in the face of enemy threats (i.e. from Mumbai to Seabird). Is it now hinting that it could even abandon its seagoing military outlook in the not-so-distant future for the relative comfort of land-based airport management? For starters it is openly taking embarrassing pride in the development of Dabolim as a civilian facility! It is altogether another matter that since the above disclosure, the local Navy spokesman has officially reversed engines about Seabird saying that the planned facility there would only be a helipad and not a regular runway. This is all a very curious state of affairs and probably bears close watch with the help of Karnataka based goanetters. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | 1st Young Goans International Essay contest 2005 | | | | Theme: WHAT CAN I DO FOR GOA | | More details at | | http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/034190.html | --------------------------------------------------------------------------
