Two TOI reports today on related subjects and the same old tiresome arguments. Isnt it possible to get off dead centre and make some headway in thinking? Here are excerpts from the two reports and my responses:
1. "S Goa Zilla says no to Mopa airport". Excerpts: "'Two airports are not economically viable in Goa. The government is fooling the people by saying that both airports will continue. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi had assured that Dabolim would be upgraded by spenmding Rs 500 crores. We demand that the government live up to the assurance... Let us know the facts regarding the status of Mopa as well as Dabolim'". Response: This is not too bad really. The argument is backasswards and just requires a reversal in the sequence. Sure let's ask for the facts about Mopa and Dabolim. And sure let's ask for the Centre's adherence to its promise at Dabolim. Only THEN would we be in a position to conclude if "two airports are viable in Goa" or not! They are putting the cart before the horse. 2. "UGDP ups ante against Mopa airport". "[Matanhy Saldanha] warned the gathering not to believe those who say that both Dabolim and Mopa will co-exist ...Anton Gaonkar stated that Goans will never allow Dabolim airport to be closed.. 'If the Navy so desires, let it go to Sea Bird at Karwar or construct a new air [base] at Canacona. Better still let the navy got to Mopa ', Gaonkar said." Response: This is all meaningless. Saldanha is putting his word against that of the government. He should give reasons for his skepticism. Gaonkar's commitment to Dabolim civil enclave is commendable but his options for the Navy are totally unreal. The only feasible ones are Seabird/Karwar and/or reconfiguring naval flight operations at Dabolim. Its time people gave sensible and fresh thought to the issues instead of just flying off their handles and sounding ad nauseam like broken records.Is this mental rigidity symptomatic of what is at the root of Goa's multifarious but petty problems?
