Goa airport expansion a pipe dream? TNN 18 November 2009, 04:10am IST PANAJI: The much vaunted expansion of Dabolim airport has failed to take off as scheduled. The tender floated for a new terminal as part of the expansion plan has been scrapped, Airport Authority of India (AAI) officials said on Tuesday.
Availability of land at the identified site has been the biggest constraint, an official, requesting anonymity, said. He said bids had received bids for the project but we cannot keep the tender on hold and, in turn, these companies waiting. We had to shelve it. The foundation stone for the project was laid in February, the official said, adding, However, there are many things which occupy the identified site. An Air India hangar, a cargo complex, ramp equipment, a power house. The area is also under control of the Navy and its permission has to be obtained. State government sources said difference between the Navy and the AAI has held up the project. While the Navy is willing to hand over about 2.5 acres to AAI for the project, the latter has pointed out the particular spot being offered and its area do not meet its requirement. The Navy is unwilling to hand over the site which AAI has identified. About 10 days back, the chief secretary had convened a meeting of both the parties and asked then to resolve the issue at the earliest. Around 35 airports around the country were identified for expansion and Dabolim was among them. It was the third biggest project after Chennai and Kolkata, another AAI official said. In fact, chief minister Digambar Kamat, after inaugurating a seminar on Contemporary tourism development: Issues and challenges organized by Parvatibai Chowgule College, Margao, on February 13 had announced that work would commence a week later. While the Dabolim airport will be expanded, the Mopa airport will be developed to international standards. There is a growing need to strengthen the infrastructure facilities in the tourism sector, and the government is committed to meet the demand, he had said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goa-airport-expansion-a-pipe-dream/articleshow/5241591.cms
