GOD seeks Church support for anti-Mopa stir
PTI, PANAJI | 23 September 2013 10:24 IST
A section of citizens opposing the construction of greenfield airport at Mopa in North Goa has sought the help of local church to bolster their cause.
"We have sought the help of local church in our struggle against airport at Mopa. We remember that in the past the church had expressed its reservation against having two airports in the state," Fr Eremito Rebello, convenor of Goa Only for Dabolim (GOD), told reporters here today.
The GOD is of the view that construction of new airport will result in the closure of operations of existing Dabolim airport, which will affect the economy of South Goa.
Fr Rebello said he had met the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Fr Filipe Neri Ferrao, and explained to him the concerns regarding the new airport.
The GOD said it would use the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections as a platform to seek political support for the cause. "There would be massive protests if the new airport project is not scrapped before 2014 elections," Fr Rebello said.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, facing opposition over the greenfield project, had said "the state was not in a hurry for a new airport".
However, Fr Rebello said "slowing down the process is not a solution for our demands. We want the project scrapped and the land admeasuring 80 lakh square metre acquired for the project be returned to farmers".
AAM AADMI PARTY REQUIRE IN GOA TO EXPOSE PRO-MINERS & PRO-MOPA.