The Hoteliers Associatioon of South Goa (HASG) has published the third in its series of pro-Dabolim/anti-Mopa salvoes.
In this one it sheds some rare and interesting light on the goings-on IN Dabolim airport. It seems Navy personnel regularly cross the runway "on motorcycles, [in] cars and even bicycles at two different points on either side of the terminal" during gaps between flights. This seems to be a big no-no and should be stopped soonest! It may not be a good habit to perpetuate at a civilian airport. HASG goes on to make some relatively detailed suggestions for the release of land for parking bays, greater use of the push-back truck, increase of night flights, addition of a terminal in future etc. However it discounts the need for car parking space in favour (obviously!) of space for coach parking. In addition, it blandly suggests that planning for Mopa can be deferred for another 10 years as a result of the foregoing [overdue!] measures, while ruling out the equally valid route of 'building up' the Mopa option (without deleterious effects on Dabolim's continued operation) without further delay! What takes the cake is the following statement in the HASG advt.: " Dabolim is a naval and not an Air Force base [subtext: it doesnt need so much land!]. The Navy occupies 1400 acres at Dabolim of which 25 acres have been given for civilian use. The rationale for acquiring this amount of land after the Liberation was to secure all high areas for security reasons. THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE DIFFERENT TODAY. THE NAVY COULD CONSIDER GIVING 100 ACRES OF LAND FOR CIVILIAN USE AT DABOLIM AND EARN THE GOODWILL OF THE PEOPLE OF GOA BY RELOCATING SOME OF ITS ACTIVITIES TO THE SEABIRD PROJECT IN KARWAR[emphasis added]". All I will say at this juncture is: Why only 100 acres? And why 'relocate' only "some" of the Navy's Dabolim activities to Seabird? The whole kit and caboodle could go without adversely affecting the Navy's strength and readiness on the west coast significantly! What do you say? HASG is too polite, right? _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list ([email protected]) Help/Unsubscribe/Update your Subscription: %(user_optionsurl)s This email sent to %(user_address)s
