18th July, 2014 During the past one month, various newspapers have reported that Air Asia has shown keen interest in using Dabolim Airport as a hub for its operations. While the airline’s thought of creating a hub at Dabolim is still at a nascent stage, it confirms that the large investment in a new Terminal by Airport Authority of India (AAI) has indeed uplifted the image of the Dabolim Airport in the eyes of major airlines, by resolving the major issue of passenger terminal capacity.
Goans for Dabolim Only welcomes the said proposal, and urges the Government and AAI to recognize this as a sign of the potential for the growth of Dabolim Airport and to take all necessary steps to ensure its preparedness for the anticipated increase in traffic. While the main facilities like the Terminal Building, Runway and existing taxiways have sufficient capacity to accept multifold growth in traffic, some important issues remain to be addressed, such as the new parallel taxiway; the land needed outside the airport for parking, cargo facilities, fuel tanks, etc (which land is being withheld by the State Government); approach road upgrade and lighting; increased apron parking space (which requires small parcels of land to be given by the Navy); and improved power supply. It may be recalled that the state government’s studied inaction has allowed the land previously notified for city side parking facilities at Sy. 8/1, Dabolim to be used by a private builder for commercial constructions. The feeder power supply to the airport is in shambles, which speaks volumes for the state government’s inefficiency and lack of sincerity in developing essential facilities that will contribute to the smooth functioning of the new Dabolim terminal on which taxpayers have spent Rs 400 crores of their hard earned money. It is appalling that the state government shows absolutely no inclination to expedite proper traffic arrangements at the junction, which is presently a menacing death trap, whilst its negligence in providing central median lighting on the approach road to the airport is inexplicable. The issue of the release of small parcels of land by the Navy for the expansion of the apron is also awaiting necessary action from the authorities. It is time the Parrikar government stopped functioning in a vacuum, without a Regional Plan set in place. The adhocism that it clings to has resulted in numerous illogical decisions, squandering of public resources, and characteristic U turns on various issues since the commencement of its tenure. GFDO therefore demands that the state government proposes a clear, unambiguous, all-encompassing and transparent state aviation policy that describes the long term vision of the government and clearly substantiates it with logical facts and figures, as befits a democratic polity. Needless to say, the state aviation policy must lay down ways in which the Government plans to support Dabolim airport and the development of its city side infrastructure, and it must be placed for scrutiny by the public with all relevant facts and reasoning, before finalization. Fr. Eremito Rebelo Convenor
