AAI has not asked land for parking: CM
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 17 July 2013 20:16 IST
Goa government has taken a firm stand not to give any additional land for Dabolim air port, claiming that no additional land is demanded for vehicle parking.
“The Airport Authority of India has been allotted almost one lakh sq mts of land till date, including for the air port expansion and parking”, said chief minister Manohar Parrikar.
In fact he showed letters sent by AAI to Goa government on three different occasions, asking for additional land, but none of it is for parking.
He read out different letters since August 2011 asking for the land for aeronautical activities, officers’ colony, air port police station, dock area, fuel farm and cargo warehouse.
“None of these proposals indicate land for parking”, points out Parrikar.
According to chief minister, there is more than enough area to park 1000 vehicles including 350 outside the terminal, 100 on both sides of the air port roads and 550 in the new parking lot.
“I cannot accept the contention of the AAI that it would occupy 250 staff vehicles. The parking lots are not meant for them. Let them park five kilometers away and get the staff by bus”, feels Parrikar.
He also said that the existing buildings of the air port would be demolished to make space for more hangers while the area outside it could also be used for parking more vehicles.
The chief minister was critical of the AAI misguiding on the issue of parking when in reality it is asking land for some other purpose.
“I will not give additional land unless they give proper utilization plan”, he made it clear.
In a similar manner, Parrikar said additional land has also been asked by Central Industrial Security Force and Border Security Force for no reason.
“I will not given Goan land to any central government authority unless they produce detailed utilization plan with proper reasoning”, said the chief minister.
