Hello goanetters,
The writer, Mr Nandkumar Kamat, has made a good case of 'Planning needing
imagination and innovation, and of course public (local and Goa wide)
consultation, and transparency.
In light of this, why then is the case not being made, for a complete review
of the Mopa Project altogether? Is Mopa really required? I would think not.
When Mopa was thought of, its not as though Goa did not have an Airport; if
fact Goa had international flights in addition to Domestic/ national
flights.
So accordingly, in view of the future requirements re capacity,
modernisation and technological requirements, what was needed then and now
is to appoint a capable consultancy to make Dabolim work, for the benefit of
all; and let this consultancy advise and draw up a project to enhance
Dabolim, to international requirements and standards and to satisfy possible
future capacity needs. There is no need to even think of Mopa at all;
Dabolim is in the centre of Goa and has served Goa well; and should continue
to be of benefit to all of Goa from North to South to East.
Let such a newly appointed Consultancy tell us how Dabolim can be made to
meet Goa's needs.
And of course the Navy should see 'the writing on the wall', and realise
that 'their hour is near' and run gracefully! Sea Bird needs the Navy to FLY
from INS Kadamba.
If in case, the Consultancy tells us that Goa may need another airport in
the future, (this I doubt very much) and if the same is permitted by
aviation safety rules etc; then Goa could then present another site, within
Goa. I would suggest some place in Canacona or Ponda; then the proposed
super highway on NH17 could meet the needs of people from Pernem! Let
Ramakant Khalap and his supporters and the Pernem wallahs, have a taste of
their own medicine! t Do travel along the super HWY and catch a Flight from
Canacona; they will make it in 40 minutes! Hah Hah! Why Not; Why is Mopa the
sacred cow all of a sudden. Dabolim has been and ever shall be, for all of
Goa!
U see how bogus this claim on Mopa is? Business and tourists and people from
South and Eastern Goa are not complaining and opposing Mopa, just for the
sake of it; but precisely because Goa already has a potentially great
Dabolim location for an airport. Why duplicate the exiisting infrastructure
and build a 'White Elephant'??
The need of the hour is:
1) upgrading existing infrastructure, within airport parameters and the
feeder routes;
2) Acquisition of more land for possible future requirements.
3) Construction of one more viable and good quality bridge across each of
the Zuari and Mandovi rivers.
4) building of a six lane Freeway along NH17 from Pernem to Canacona, with
Bus Stopping Lanes, service lanes near towns or semi urban areas en route,
and special lane only for two wheelers and three wheelers, in either
direction.
It is not necessary to 're-invent' the wheel ! Go take a look at how things
are done and thought of in advanced countries, and learn and implement the
same at home. For God's sake; "do not change policemens uniform, to
enlighten or reform them". Goanetters will know what I mean here! There are
better things to do and get results.
Nasci Caldeira
Melbourne
Down Under.
The above is with reference to some of which I have to reproduce below.
Nandkumar Kamat wrote:
"A visit to Curitaba, Brazil, would open the eyes of
our politicians. Infrastructural planning needs
imagination and innovation. It has to be transparent.
But this is not the case when a mega-project like the
proposed Mopa international airport is under
consideration. The government entrusted the work of preparing the
techno-economic feasibility report to the Canada-based
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). ICAO
also brought in Airport de Paris International (ADPI)
to assist it in their work. It gave a technical
presentation to the steering committee in July 2005.
This was followed by an economic feasibility report in
August 2005 which the government discussed and
accepted in September 2005."
