This is with reference to the NT report of Dec 3 reproduced yesterday: 1. <on realising limitations and restrictions on the availability of parking space and civil dispersal a total of 25 acres of land had RECENTLY been handed over to the Airport Authority of India.>
This is misleading. Only 9 acres have been allocated "recently". The other 15 had already been allocated previously and was only "regularised" recently after swapping equivalent parcels of land elsewhere in India with AAI. Meanwhile. the Hoteliers Association of South Goa (HASG) has estimated that Dabolim civil enclave needs a total of 100 (hundred) acres for a decent airport passenger facility. The total airport land is nearly 1700 acres. 2.<It was also informed about Rs 40 crore is being spent to enhance the runway itself.> By whom? The Navy or AAI? There are reports that the Navy "earns" revenues from ATC operations (to the tune of at least Rs 70 crores a year) while capital expenditures (such as runway expenditures) are for the account of AAI which is therefore asking for an equitable sharing of ATC revenues. 3. <It needs no elaboration that the navy and Goa are synonymous to each other, be it may the erstwhile Portuguese Navy or the Indian Navy post-liberation, the bond of trust between the navy and the people of Goa is strong and therefore very integrated" stated Rear Admiral Vadgaokar.> What the Rear Admiral probably means is that the MERCHANT navy and Goa are synonymous. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
