November 7, 2016
Facts concerning proposed Mopa Airport in Goa (Pages 1 & 2) Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, It was surprising to read that you have agreed to personally lay the foundation stone on November 14th, 2016 for the contentious Mopa Airport project in Goa, which in fact, was the brainchild of the erstwhile Congress State government, and was perceived as an alleged scam by the then BJP Opposition Party and the people of Goa. There were substantial allegations that the allegedly unviable second airport was sought to be set up in tiny Goa by the Congress regime just to increase real estate value of huge parcels of land bought by various VIPs in that area. This impression was further buttressed by the admission of the feasibility study that “the Mopa airport would not be able to generate cash flow to sustain the projected capital investment”, thus clearly signifying that the proposed airport at Mopa is economically unviable and financially unsound. It also points out that till 2025, the project would be dependent on government subsidies to break even. Expert reports of ICAO and ADPi have clearly stated that one airport is the best solution for Goa. The expert opinion of the unviability of Mopa Airport is substantiated by the Government’s compulsion to offer 15 lakh square metres of land for pure commercial development at 2.5 FAR, which is very high for Goa, just to get bidders to respond to the RFQ. You will recall that your Government’s Civil Aviation Minister A Gajapathi Raju in the Lok Sabha in April this year, himself admitted that India spent a total of Rs 600 crore on 25 airports across the country in just two years when these airports were technically operational but in reality did not handle a single scheduled flight. In other words, the unviability of these airports have turned them into ghost airports. In fact, recent reports have stated that 8 brand new airports which were proposed in 2009 alongside Mopa and constructed in some of the country’s tourist hubs, have not seen any aviation activity because of less than projected demand and that 50% of India’s airports remained unused throughout the year. The contentious Mopa Airport policy was one of the main reasons that the Congress government was voted out and the BJP party ushered into the seat of governance with a clear majority in Goa. Therefore, the BJP State government’s iron willed determination to plough ahead with even greater tenacity than that displayed by the erstwhile Congress government in imposing the destructive Mopa Airport policy formulated by it, comes as a rude shock and bitter blow to the people of Goa. We are sure that you are not aware of the circumstances surrounding this project, which is shrouded in controversy and mired in well founded allegations as well as embroiled in three court cases. Two of these cases have been filed with the National Green Tribunal in Pune, presenting the various unaddressed and serious environmental concerns of the people, which calls into dispute the very validity and integrity of the Environment Impact Assessment, based upon which this controversial project is sought to be imposed. Indeed, the appellants insist that no scientific studies have been carried out with respect to the serious ramifications on the ecology and environment of such a project. The Goa State Biodiversity Board itself has admitted that it has not carried out any study on the Mopa plateau. Perhaps the underlying reason for the strange choice of venue of the foundation stone laying ceremony over 30 kms. from the actual site of the project is to conceal from you the fact that the Mopa plateau abuts the Western Ghats and is a biodiversity hotspot. We are sure that you will agree that this is no manner in which a project of this magnitude , with potentially irreversible consequences for the land, its people and its economy should be set up . There have also been many doubts raised about the legality of the land acquisition process itself for this project which the State government has refused to address. Hence a third case has been filed and is pending before the Supreme Court of India questioning the land acquisition process of the Goa State Government for this project. The latest controversy has been the arbitrary change in various clauses in the RFP from those in the RFQ, to substantially benefit the developer at a great cost to the State public exchequer and its people, for which we earnestly request you to institute an enquiry into the genesis and progress of this contentious, unwanted and unnecessary real estate scam masquerading as a second airport project at the cost of the public exchequer and valuable community resources. Now that you are aware of the true facts of this project, we are sure you will agree that it substantially undermines the dignity and esteem of the office of Prime Minister to be associated with such a murky project that is being steamrollered through in a nebulous and allegedly devious and untransparent manner without even the merest pretence at showing the slightest modicum of respect and deference for the Courts and judicial system and for the concerns of the people of Goa. As our Prime Minister, we are sure you would want to be seen to be on the side of the law, the judicial system and the legal process. Hence we request you to please ensure that the foundation stone for this project is not laid prematurely before the logical end to the judicial process. Thanking you in anticipation, Yours truly, For GOANS FOR DABOLIM ONLY (GFDO) Eremito Rebelo Convenor
