I followed the recent controversy of the airport authority to take over private land to make parking space at Dabolim Airport. It was because of Mauvin Godinho and minister Jose Phillip's intervention that the landlord could save his land, at least for now.
To call Dabolim Airport an "international" airport is a shame. There is no parking available and cars coming to drop off passengers have to obtain a slip at the entrance. They are fined if they exceed the permitted limit. Cars awaiting passengers are lined up on either side of the Dabolim road, opposite the airport. It is a sad sight to see the whole place crammed up with cars. I am told that more than 40 flights come and take off daily from the airport. With such high traffic, the amenities offered at the airport are inadequate. Something needs to be done, and done fast. The airport is already an eyesore. As for forcing the navy to vacate Dabolim Airport, the Goa government must make a valid case. It should point out that the Sea Bird project in Karwar can alone handle the needs of the navy and that the central government should consider making Dabolim Airport into a top-class international airport. The Goa government must insist that tourism sustains Goa's economy to a large extent. Better facilities at the airport can help make tourists comfortable and gave give a fillip to tourism in the state. I met a wealthy Egyptian who was on a visit to Goa for the first time and he said he was shocked that Goa is promoted as a tourist destination despite the lack of infrastructure. The man has travelled widely across the globe and he said he was dismayed to see Goa's roads so narrow and so dangerous. He said the filth and the car traffic make Goa a nightmare. I doubt he would recommend Goa to his friends, relatives or business associates. In the late 70s the navy showed his nefarious design of "capturing" Bogmallo. There was a fear among the villagers of Bogmallo. The navy had insisted on making it a "naval village" but later backed off after the villagers showed their dissatisfaction. Hence, the navy bought land on the Dabolim plateau for building its officers" flats, schools, etc. The navy has, however, taken over the small beach called Sankrant (now sure of the spelling) just below the runway. As a youngster I used to go to this beach by going over the mountain and down the slope. The beach has a small waterfall. I know the military is always ambitious and want to expand its hold wherever it has its base, be it army, navy or air force. True, a place like Goa with its natural beauty and beaches, attractions for tourists, should never have allowed to have military presence. The Corps of Signals has its base in Bambolim. INS Hansa and INS Gomantak are based in Dabolim./Vasco area. The previous Goa governments are responsible for this. If the governments of the day had put their foot down the central government would have been forced to abandon its plans to use Goa as a naval base. Is is too late in the day for a reversal? People like Floriano may not think so, but I think the process is irreversible. As I said before maybe when Floriano comes to power he can arm himself to fight the central government. But his first battle is to win on the home front -- the elections. On the other hand, can people like Floriano rally the forces into "people power" and force the navy on a retreat? Of late, we have seen umpteen rallies for a number of causes. It's "Chalo Lohia Maidan", etc. Floriano can sound the call for "Chalo Delhi". But, as they say, Delhi Dur Hai. Eugene Correia
