The 12th E-mail Newsletter edition of 2000 for the Kanjurities in India, Gulf region, Europe and beyond!
http://kanjur-folks.tripod.com/Archive_KFNL_12_14APR2000.htm NEW MOPA AIRPORT - NRI FINANCING? New Mopa Airport: The proposed international airport at Mopa would be a joint-venture between government and private enterprise on lines with the airports at Bangalore and Cochin. The investment would be to the tune of Rs 1200 crore and the entire project is expected to be completed for operation by the year 2005. Instead of round the clock operations at Dabolim Airport, a 18 hours service would commence from the airport shortly. The equity for the Mopa Airport would be raised from government and private enterprise, but the extent of equity share between the two has not been clearly outlined. It has been decided that air traffic control, security, customs and immigration at the proposed airport at Mopa would be funded through state equity, while the airport complex and other equipment will be funded through private equity. On completion of the Mopa project, the civilian operations at Dabolim Airport will be closed, according to a decision taken in this regard by the union cabinet. Bangalore Airport financing pattern to be adopted: The likely pattern of equity distribution of Mopa airport could be on lines with that of Bangalore Airport with 13 % share of industrial development corporation of the state, 13% of Air India and 74 % private sector. Example of NRI financing force: The Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) runs the new Nedumbasseri International Airport. Financing of the airport was mainly done by non-resident Indians (NRIs), especially Malayalis. The airport, built on a joint venture basis between the government of Kerala and non-resident Keralites and became operational in June last year, has about 10,000 shareholders spread across 30 countries. History of selecting Mopa Village: Way back in December 1997, The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Goa government had locked horns over the issue of a second international airport for the state. While the AAI questioned the need for a second airport at Goa then, the state had been keen on constructing an airport with private investment - an NRI group had evinced keen interest in the project. It was reported that AAI officials visited Goa to examine the proposed location and take a decision. The officials cited `technical' difficulties in choosing Mopa, the choice of the state government, but had refused to comment on what the problems were. Goans need to know: - the extend of 'technical difficulties' envisaged earlier. - are they now properly addressed? - info on the NRI Group? Is this group still pursuing this project? ~(^^)~ Avelino ___________ Philip Thomas wrote: <Reacting to a article published by U D Kamat in a section of a press,> Would someone do goanetters like me a huge favour by posting the contents of this article (or even a suitable summary) at an early date. It would also be helpful if we could read the statement purportedly made by Churchill Alemao in early 2000 in the Assembly wherein (according to Ramakant Khalap) he is supposed to have agreed to Mopa provided Dabolim also remained in operation. I myself seem to recall that as recently as about Jan 2005 the Churchill position was the latter. Wonder what happened since then to make him harden his stance against Mopa. Cheers.
