http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?slug=Row+over+Goa's+new+inter national+airport&id=82385&category=National
Row over Goa's new international airport ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Frankie Fernandes Watch story Tuesday, December 13, 2005 (Panjim): Goa's new international airport has run into problems with the Goa Congress deeply divided over the proposal. The opposition has come from several cabinet ministers. Some ministers have even threatened to bring down the Pratapsingh Rane government if it scraps the existing airport at Dabolim for the new one at Mopa. "People of Goa, some 7 to 14 lakh, depend on this airport. People want the Dabolim airport to be retained and if the Centre and the Goa government want the Mopa airport, I will stay with the people of Goa," said Churchill Alemao, MP, Congress. Phenomenal growth Since 1961, when Goa was liberated, civilian flights have operated out of Dabolim. But the naval airport, many believe, has been unable to cope with the phenomenal growth in air traffic over the years. The opposition is not just from some politicians, but also from the hotel industry which says closing the Dabolim airport will leave many jobless. "Having an international airport is not going to help us because it is going to be across one border of Goa. It will destroy the well-built economy of the Goans. The viability of the airport is what we need, just building a structure randomly will not help," said Valigno Dias, Chairman, Travel Association of India (Goa Chapter). The new airport is expected to cost Rs 1,200 crore and is scheduled to be completed by 2010. These plans are clearly under threat after the new controversy. ----- What is meant by saying Mopa is "across one border of Goa"? Maybe a fall out of the inane idea of having "Goa international airport" in Maharashtra! -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------
