GOANS FOR DABOLIM ONLY
July 13, 2013
PRESS STATEMENT
The facts in our possession, contradict the Chief Minister's claim that the
Airports Authority of India (AAI) had failed to respond to the government's
requests to submit their plans for Dabolim Airport.
On February 13th, 2013, the AAI wrote to the government that they require
40,000 square metres of land Survey No.8/1 of Dabolim village for airport
infrastructural facilities, and pointed out that it had already deposited a
sum of Rs.4.23 crores in June 2010 with the Government of Goa for this
purpose. On April 12, 2013, the AAI again wrote to the state government
that the said land was needed not only for parking, but also for Cargo, Fuel
farm, warehouses and airline offices.
After meeting and holding detailed discussions with the Member Secretary
MPDA, the Collector (South), the Chief Secretary of Goa and other concerned
authorities, GFDO has come to the conclusion that the land bearing
Sy.No.8/1, Dabolim village, remains the only land available within the
jurisdiction of Goa government for setting up of the city side facilities
and critical expansion of Dabolim Airport.
Dubious certificates and statements made by the authorities along with the
omissions and commissions of the state government have put the economic
growth of the state in jeopardy. Two years after the de-notification on the
pre-condition of acquiring alternate 70,000 sq. m. land, the state
government has still not started the acquisition, while it is turning a
Nelson's Eye to the ongoing speedy construction by builders.
Despite the centrally located Dabolim airport being a major engine of the
Goan economy, the state government has not set in place any policy for it
till date. There is not a single state government authority for the
administration, management and growth of Dabolim airport and the state has
failed miserably to provide administrative or planning support to the extent
that even land promised for airport expansion has been denied.
This raises serious doubts on the government's true intentions with regard
to Dabolim, and its claim that Dabolim will remain functional even if Mopa
airport comes into being. This is even more apparent in light of the fact
that a well oiled administrative machinery is already in place for a non
existent Mopa airport at great cost to the public exchequer, not including
the 80 lakh square metres of precious Goan land being farmed out to private
parties when the state has been blessed with a perfectly functional Dabolim
airport, which can suffice forever.
Therefore, we earnestly appeal to the state government to immediately start
re-acquisition of the plot sy no 8/1 within its jurisdiction before it
diverts the issue to lands needed from Navy and do a rethink on setting up
second airport at Mopa. We urge the government to respect participatory
democracy and shepherd the state resources, both land and financial with the
thought, care and consideration it deserves in the larger interests of Goans
and the future generations to come
For GOANS FOR DABOLIM ONLY
Fr. Eremito Rebllo
Convenor
