Mopa Through
The recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
that two airports in Goa could co-exist profitably and the second airport at
Mopa will not impair the future of Dabolim airport has finally been accepted
by the six-member committee set up by the Prime Minister to examine the
feasibility and development aspects of the Mopa airport and it has also
decided to go ahead with the project. This puts an end to the wild
speculation of the future of the Mopa airport
The fact that the second airport at Mopa would not impair the economic
interest of Goa nor jeopardise the economic viability of Dabolim and also
not endanger the hospitality business of South Goa should have been realised
by the politicians who have been opposing it. Of course, much of the
political articulation against Mopa was what political articulation usually
is for: funds and votes. Unfortunately the political articulation in South
Goa drew its sustenance from the fear that diversion of tourists to Mopa
will boost the hospitality business in North Goa.
Once the ICAO's feasibility report has categorically made it clear that the
Mopa airport was not at all a threat to Dabolim and the Union Minister for
Aviation, Mr Praful Patel without any ambiguity has made it clear that
Dabolim airport will not be closed; instead it would be expanded, there is
no need for the politicians from South Goa to articulate their views against
the Mopa airport. Significantly the ICAO report also underlined that Goa,
during the last five years, has achieved a hundred per cent increase in the
flow of tourists; from 12.69 lakh in 2000 to 24.79 lakh in 2006. If the ICAO
report is to be It is a proven fact that infrastructure is essential for
growth. Airports form the crucial components of the infrastructure: Not only
because they bring in tourists or help the residents of a state to travel by
air, but they also facilitate business interactions. And in the era of
reforms Goa cannot be content with having just one airport, that too when
the tourist base is increasing. If the new airport in Mopa is expected to
generate over 55,000 jobs, expressed in person-years for the duration of the
construction of the new facility, it would also strengthen the economic
infrastructure of Goa and this aspect ought not be ignored.
Since the committee has decided to place its recommendations before the
government of India for appropriate action, the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar
Kamat should hasten up the process at the state government level keeping in
view the future interests of Goa, its tourism industry and employment, and
actively pursue the task of acquiring land for Mopa. The process had started
but was dropped midway for 'political correctness.' It is right time the
South Goa lobby of the politicians and hoteliers must adopt a pragmatic and
rationale approach. They must realise that right opportunity comes only
once.
Navhind Times Editorial - Jan 31, 2008
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=013117
