Airport issue takes centre stage yet again!
BY HERALD REPORTER Dabolim forever: Churchill BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, OCT 24 Save Goa Front supremo Churchill Alemao has said his stand that Goa cannot have two airports has been finally vindicated and urged the Union government to immediately upgrade the Dabolim airport and shift the Naval base to Sea Bird at Karwar. Alemao further said the people of Goa want the Dabolim airport to be retained forever and has no problem if another airport comes up in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. Addressing a press conference, Alemao said the report by the Canadian agency has clearly said only one airport can be economically viable in Goa, adding its time the government upgrades the Dabolim airport by building two runways and aerobridges to cater to growing air traffic. Thanking the people of Goa, especially the taxi and shack owners, for supporting his movement to retain the Dabolim airport, Alemao said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has promised him to retain Dabolim airport forever. Goas tourism industry will see a further rise if Dabolim is upgraded to meet the requirements, he said The PWD minister informed that he has asked Union Defence Minister A K Anthony to shift the Naval base from Dabolim to Sea Bird Karwar and hand over the 1400 acres of land to the Civilian airport. Dabolim airport has always been a civilian airport. It does not belong to the Navy, he added. He contended that Dabolim airport could not be used for imparting training to navy pilots, saying Vasco would go up in flames if theres a crash of fighter planes on the oil tanks in the port town. Never say never to Mopa: Sripad BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, OCT 24 BJP President Sripad Naik has said Goa would definitely need a second airport in the future to meet the increasing air traffic requirements. He said theres is no question of closure of the Dabolim airport since it belongs to the Navy, but the State would have to think of building a second airport in view of the 12 million air traffic project in Goa in the next few years. BJPs consistent stand is that the State requires both Dabolim and the proposed Mopa airport. One is catering to the existing requirements, while the other would take care of the future needs, he added. Naik reminded that he was instrumental in getting Rs 220 crore to construct a terminal building at Dabolim, and accused the government of not spending Rs 105 crore sanctioned by the Centre to build a structure for charter flights. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3314&cid=2 Sanny de Quepem <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
