The following extract from a report in Navhind Times, Dec 3, 2006, raises a crucial policy issue (emphasis mine).
<"The Indian Navy is probably one of the few navies in the world which ENCOURAGE civil operations from it's airfields" stated Rear Admiral Vadgaokar ...."The Navy has gone out of it's way towards PROMOTING civil air operations, in this regard several additional facilities have been installed [at Dabolim] to facilitate the commercial flights" said Rear Admiral Vadgaokar and further pointed out that It may be interestingly to note that other than radar, none of these additionally installed facilities are required for operations of military aircraft from Dabolim.> http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=12031 If the foregoing is true then what is the basis for the Union Cabinet resolution of March 2000 to close civil operations at Dabolim if and when Mopa is built? The Indian Navy should promptly give an NOC to the Civil Aviation Ministry stating that it has no objection to Dabolim continuing its civilian operations indefintely. Then we would be able to believe the CM's assurance last year that both Mopa and Dabolim could/would co-exist. Then, too, the Civil Aviation Minister would not go around saying that there is "no scope for expanding Dabolim". Its high time there was some clarity in government policy (at the Centre and in the State) about the future of civil aviation at Dabolim. Cheers. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Goanet supports BMX, the alumni network of Britto's, St Mary's and Xavier's -- three prominent institutions in Mapusa, Goa. Events scheduled from Dec 16 to 21, 2006 For more details visit http://www.bmxgoa.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------
