Well, well, well it transpires that the Mopa project is being pushed through in the interests of the Politicians - not the interests of the people of Goa. These guys want to fill their boots.
Furthermore, the so called resident expert on Air Travel related matters, needs to do more than some homework, instead of trying to justify MOPA. Please read on:- ICAO didn't say 'Yes' to Mopa ANTHONY J SIMOES Upgrading Dabolim would be better, at one-third the price PANJIM, AUG 21 – The Goa government's decision to go ahead with the construction of the Mopa airport is based on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) report, we are told. Really? A close look at the report actually tells quite a different story. The ICAO deputed a two-member team – made up of an airport operations and planning expert and an air traffic forecasting/air transport economics expert – to assess the airport. Their brief was to look at the situation at Dabolim and Mopa, and make appropriate recommendations. They were in Goa for eight days, from July 7, 2007 to July 16, 2007, at the very height of the monsoon, when we all know that Goa's landscape starts looking completely different, and there are huge logistic difficulties in moving around, especially to remote plateaus in distant Pernem. Notwithstanding this, within eight short days, they were able to complete a feasibility-cum-viability study that resulted in their producing a report of 46 pages, which includes a Table of Contents, a List of Tables as well as an Annexure, based on their visits (?) to both Dabolim and Mopa. In itself, this surely constitutes a feat fit for entry into the Guinness Book of World Records. It is another interesting but little known fact that Goa's brand new Governor, Dr Shivinder Singh Sidhu, was earlier Secretary General of the Montreal-headquartered ICAO, which we are told prepared the Mopa study. But that is not part of this story. Let us take a closer look at the report. First, the ICAO has covered its backside by saying that the team has relied on data provided by the Government of Goa. Secondly they write in their report things like: 1. In order to somewhat compensate for the additional travel time that would be required for air passengers travelling to and from South Goa, the government proposes to widen the existing National Highway 17 and construct a new highway with 'restricted access'. 2. To be attractive for the private sector to finance the totality of the investment and bear the financial risk over a long period, minimum guarantee must be given to the potential developers, such as: the insurance that there will be no competitive airport in the area (!). 3. Mopa airport would not be financially viable even in a situation where all the commercial traffic from Dabolim would be transferred to the new Mopa airport. 4. From worldwide experience, decision makers must recognise that a dual airport system is a second best solution compared to a single airport. 5. Goa does not provide a strong argument for splitting traffic between Dabolim and the new airport in Mopa. Splitting traffic between Dabolim and the new airport could impact the commercial and financial viability of both airports. 6. The study also covered the subject of financing and ownership of the proposed airport, and it was based upon the premise that the new airport will handle all civil operations. Such has been the precedent at Hyderabad and Bangalore, where new international airports are being constructed to handle all civilian operations, leaving the existing military airports only for military operations. 7. Furthermore, the study did not include the air traffic management issues involved in the operation of two airports, as the subject is discussed at the Central government level between the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Defence, for agreement on issues concerning civil-military coordination. 8. Given the relative strengths of Goa's economy and based on local studies by the Chamber of Commerce, the key growth engines that will drive the State's economic future are Agriculture and Horticulture, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Industry (including Special Economic Zones), Tourism and Information Technology. [Unfortunately, today agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and aquaculture are all dying industries. The Special Economic Zones and IT Parks are still-born babies.] Does that read like an unqualified 'Yes' to the Mopa airport? Not at all! But that's not all, there's more. The ICAO team was also informed during the mission that the enlargement of the aircraft parking apron, the construction of the new terminal building and an adequate car parking facility on recently acquired land from the Indian Navy was at the final planning stage at the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The preliminary budgetary estimate for the project was evaluated at $100 million (Rs 430 crore) by AAI, based on generic costs in India for similar facilities. This project contains the following main components: A. A new state-of-the-art terminal building with some 57,000 square metres of usable space on four floors (compared to the existing 11,000 square metres in the existing terminal building), to cater to domestic and international traffic. B. Eleven contact gates equipped with air bridges or jet-ways and two remote aircraft parking stands (compared to the existing six remote stands). C. Sixty-eight common-use check-in counters (compared to the existing 29 dedicated counters). D. The new terminal, designed for peak hour capabilities, to accommodate 1,000 arriving and departing international passengers, as well as 2,400 arriving and departing domestic passengers. E. A multi-level car park for 1,000 cars. In contrast, in the plan for the proposed airport at Mopa: · The terminal building is of only 32,000 square metres · There are only nine contact gates with air bridges · There is planned parking for only 800 cars The improvements at Dabolim, at a cost of $ 100 million (Rs 430 crore), are as good as or better than those that will come up at Mopa at a cost of $ 325 million (nearly Rs 1,400 crore). According to ICAO, Dabolim's improvements will take two years, while Mopa construction will take seven years. These are not my figures. They are official figures, for all to see. This is not an issue of whether Mopa will cause problems for tourism in South Goa, or whether the continuance of Dabolim will keep Pernem undeveloped. That's all politics. What we're talking about is simply which of the two is the better solution. Now, if we are getting a world class airport with 11 air bridges, a state-of-the-art terminal building and other facilities available at any top airport for Rs 430 crore within two years, do we really want a new airport that is not quite as good, but which costs Rs 1,400 crore – over three times as much – and takes seven years – over three times as long – to build? Even a child would make the right choice, without any hesitation at all. Then why are our politicians unable to do so? Or is it that while most of us would instinctively opt for what is best for the State, our politicians think of what is best for themselves while making such choices? This exposes our rascal politicians for what they are. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=8753&cid=2 -- DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London.
