CM confident of Mopa work beginning next year
PTI, PANAJI | 03 October 2014 18:23 IST
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today said the actual work on greenfield international airport at Mopa would begin next year, after the procedures of obtaining environment impact assessment (EIA) and other tendering processes are completed.
"I can't give the exact date when work on new airport will start. But as per my time table, I will finish request for proposal (RFP) and EIA by May or June next year.
"If that happens the work on airport can start by September-October, next year," Parrikar told reporters after inaugurating the office of Union Tourism minister Sripad Naik in the state.
Goa government this week finalised and passed the Request for Qualification (RFQ) for the airport, notwithstanding the opposition for the project from a section of people in South district.
"RFQ is already loaded on the website," he said, adding that EIA is necessary for construction of airport and not for selection of the player (company which will construct the airport).
"If the player knows it in advance that unless EIA is completed he won't be in picture than it is okay.. If someone is ready to take risk and get himself selected that is up to him," he added.
The Chief Minister said that the finalisation of order for the Greenfield project will happen only after EIA is obtained.
"But if you ask me frankly I see no reason for not getting EIA cleared. Preliminary EIA is done long back, now this one is detailed," Parrikar added.
He said the airport would be operated on Built Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis and it would have different models of viability.
"For the operator, the main target is passengers. Anyone who gets involved in it will have to tie up with foreign operators to get the passengers," he said.
In addition, Parrikar said 381 acres of land would be given for commercial development. "No detailing has been done on commercial development. There will also be Maintenance and Research Operation and would be hub for cargo," he said.
The Greenfield airport also has a potential of becoming an airlines hub, he added.
This is a great mistake by our chief minister. The whole goa is aware what is the reason for this but most of our people are quite because of the party they are supporting.
I would not say this is the division between north and the south goa. But this Airport will create lot of inconvenience to our fellow brothers and sisters besides great destruction to the environment. This will bring income only to the rich people and some of the corrupt guys around.
When there is a great possibility to develop the existing Airport what else can be the reason to go ahead with this great money making project?
The mistake made by the intelligent guys one day our future generations will suffer. This will only make our peaceful goa an enjoyment destination for outsiders and not a admiring place for which the tourist used to come before. Admiring the beauty, culture and relax.
A humble request to our politicians, Please don't take advantage of the people to bring you in power. Think of Goa, Goans, The Culture ,and the peace. Let us be content.
Goa is so small that only one airport can exists. Then why not Dabolim Airport. Let Dabolim Airport be upgraded upto the International Level. Also Dabolim Airport is in the Center. It is benefiting both South & North Goans. If Mopa Airport starts then it will be at the corner of Goa and South Goans (even North Goans) has to go deep inside Goa (neighboring Maharashtra) to reach Mopa Airport. Regarding Airport Jobs then it required IATA Certified Certificates, which I think hardly any Goans has it. Regarding Porter/Cleaner jobs then that will be given to the Company and Company will decide to bring from Outside Goa or hire from Inside Goa.