Well, first of all I need to congratulate Rahul as this is the first time I have seen a Goan debate anything without bringing up the past. My experience has been that withing ten minutes into any debate, 1961 is brought up. All Goa's woes, all its problems are pinned on to 1961. With Mopa it becomes even funnier. The contention is that the Portuguese gifted Dabolim to Goa and that Dabolim should remain Goa's treasure forever.
Since I have just a few minutes, let me point out the following: 1) Cargo: It is extremely difficult to get cargo space on domestic flights in India. I found out that even during the peak tourist season, cargo space in and out of Goa is almost non-existent. 2) International airlines are gung ho on increasing their scheduled flights to Goa. I met the Toronto manager of an Arab airline at a function and he told me that the demand was such that they could send in five flights a day to Goa. The problem was that they could not get landing slots. You just cannot have an international airport at a facility that is controlled by the air force. 3) A six lane highway will be a blessing to Goa. I find it amazing that you need to spend three plus hours to travel the 100 miles that is the length of Goa. 4) I did not get the point of the expanding Belgaum and Huble airports. All this does is forces the better educated Goan to go seek employment/business outside Goa. 5) Last week, a major (western) consultancy firm sent out a note to financiers requesting interest in Mopa. Mopa can be developed at no cost to the Goan treasury. If it is not profitable, private capital will bear the losses. If it is not commercially feasible, it will never be built. India badly needs infrastructure. Unlike yesterdecade, the private sector is willing to finance this infrastructure. Take a moment to look all around you folks. The economic prosperity of any region mirrors its infrastructure. Mervyn Currently on a long weekend camping trip in Moby, Ontario.
