MARGAO: Goans For Dabolim Only (GFDO)today have demanded white paper on the two airports on would it be viable in the state.
Addressing the media, GFDO Convenor Fr Eremito said that it is appreciated and commended the AAI initiative to expand Dabolim Airport, through its extension plans for the existing integrated terminal building and Apron. With the completion of this project, Dabolim Airport will be well equipped to serve Goa’s aviation needs for decades to come.
“This expansion will increase the capacity of Dabolim airport to 1.1 Crore passengers per year once again raising questions about the feasibility and relevance of the proposed Mopa airport,” GFDO said
He said, “Goa which is reeling under huge financial debt, urgently needs to re-evaluate if Goa’s aviation needs and projections will be able to support two airports in the tiny State. To this purpose, it is imperative that the Government come out with a WHITE PAPER ON THE FUTURE OF GOA’S TOURISM INDUSTRY,”
He further said that the White Paper needs to seriously examine whether it is likely that tourists will choose a coal transportation hub called Goa as a holiday destination in the future.
“What will be the impact on Goa’s future tourist footfalls and thus its aviation passenger projections given the ongoing destruction of Goa’s pristine environment and its rapid concretization in pursuit of creating the infrastructure required for the transport of coal? It may be noted that ultimately Goa will be subjected to a triple dose of coal dust pollution through rail, road as well as its waterways,” he added
Meanwhile, in the interests of transparency, the State government is duty bound to place before its people a factual and honest WHITE PAPER on its outdated dual airport policy, and the complexities of sustaining it considering the major and irreversible changes it has made through its coal transportation policy, which runs contradictory to this dual airport policy and the State tourism policy, GFDO said
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