Team Goemkarponn
DABOLIM: Minister Mauvin Godinho said he had received a clear and categorical assurance from Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh that Dabolim Airport will never be closed for civilian operations. Godinho said the assurance was given during a recent meeting in Delhi, which he attended along with Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant.
Addressing the media, Godinho said the issue was taken up directly with the Defence Minister to clear doubts being spread regarding the future of Dabolim Airport. “The opposition is trying to make a mountain out of a molehill by creating fear that Dabolim Airport will be closed and all operations will be shifted to Mopa. To put an end to this, the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and I met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and sought a clear clarification,” Godinho said.
He said the Chief Minister submitted a written memorandum to Rajnath Singh stating that under no circumstances should Dabolim Airport be stopped for civilian operations. “Goa is a tourist state and we need both airports—Dabolim and Mopa—to function. This was clearly conveyed to the Defence Minister,” Godinho said.
According to Godinho, Rajnath Singh questioned what led them to believe that the Navy was planning to take over Dabolim Airport completely. “At that point, I intervened and informed him that we had reports of a meeting involving the Naval Chief and the Union Civil Aviation Minister, where the Navy had placed its view that civilian operations could be shifted to Mopa. I made it clear that we want Dabolim Airport to continue,” Godinho said.
He said Rajnath Singh categorically denied any such move. “The Defence Minister told us very clearly that such a decision cannot happen without his knowledge and that he will never allow Dabolim Airport to be closed for civilian operations,” Godinho said.
Godinho further said that Rajnath Singh has called him again for a follow-up meeting along with Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade. “He said he will convene a meeting of all stakeholders, including the Naval Chief, to put this issue to rest once and for all. Though there is no proposal as of now, he wants to remove the fear from the minds of the people of Goa, especially South Goa,” he said.
Taking a dig at vested interests, Godinho said, “GMR is a private entity, and the major stakeholders of Mopa Airport are trying to lobby for their commercial benefit. Unfortunately, the opposition is politicising the matter despite the government making its stand very clear that Dabolim Airport will never be closed for civilian operations.”
Godinho said he also raised operational issues at Dabolim Airport. “I informed the Defence Minister about the NOTAM period during which civilian flights are not allowed between 8.30 am and 12.30 pm. This is a prime time. I gave examples of other defence airports where defence flights operate on one side while a dedicated corridor is kept open for civilian aircraft,” he said.
He added that even a partial relaxation of the NOTAM hours could help increase civilian flights at Dabolim. “If even two hours are relaxed, more flights can operate from Dabolim,” he said.
Godinho said he had also earlier taken up the issue with the Union Civil Aviation Minister. “I urged him to authorise the Airports Authority of India to function like a private entity with flexibility and offer concessions to airline operators, similar to what is being done by GMR at Mopa. This will ensure a healthy balance of flights between Dabolim and Mopa and help Goa grow as a tourist destination with both airports functioning,” he said.
He concluded by stating, “After this meeting and the follow-up that will be done, there will be no scope whatsoever to even think that Dabolim Airport can be closed. Under no circumstances will Dabolim Airport stop civilian operations.”
