Yesterday's HERALD had this short letter by Lt Col Sylvester M.D'Souza (Retd) of Sangolda titled "Airport Debate Needed" which made the eminently sensible suggestion that it is high time there was a round table discussion about the airport situation among key players like the Navy, Airport Authority, Government, Industry etc. Significantly he says, "They must come together to have a reasoned and informed debate on the various issues involved such as lack of upgraded infrastructure like aprons, bays, taxiways, and terminal facilities among other things. These would need to be taken up on a priority basis till Mopa takes shape as Dabolim will still be needed."
Here is one person who is talking of ground reality (at Dabolim) and not being fooled by statistical abstractions purportedly about usage levels. Of course, he doesnt seem to have bought into the idea of the need for two airports in Goa -- yet. But that may be understandable for a military person. Also he seems to have overlooked the importance of "airlines" as a key player. One other thing, I dont see the GCCI statement about Mopa he refers to as having appeared on March 19th. In HERALD that day there was only the anti-Mopa statement by HASG. Maybe there was something by GCCI in another newspaper.
