Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: With airlines shifting operations to Manohar International Airport, Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho said that Indian Navy officials have told him that they do not need Dabolim airport fully.
“Indian Navy officials have told me that they do not need Dabolim airport fully; they are ready to operate as it is. Rather they have given us more slots,” Godinho claimed.
He further said that he has access to information that he cannot reveal but all he can say is that the Navy has made a significant maneuver to Karwar.
“To the detriment of the people, why then would they wish to grow here (at Dabolim airport) any further? he said.
Mauvin said that a lot of influence is used by GMR, the company that runs Mopa’s Manohar International Airport, to reroute planes from Dabolim to Mopa.
“As a private company, GMR has significant sway over the decision to move the flights from Dabolim to Mopa airport. It is important to remember that Goa has equity in the airport,” he added
Minister also said that in order to ensure that there is traffic at both airports, the state government has also made investments and wants them to coexist peacefully. Godinho suggested that they test more recent traffic coming from more recent destinations.
Anybody would prefer to visit Mopa airport once to get a taste of it, he added.
“They claim we’re not coming here again next time. In Panaji, people like Dabolim better. Getting to Dabolim is simple because there are two bridges. The government provides it. Is it possible for us to refute it? At Dabolim Airport, four new aerobridges are being built, the minister announced. He stated that the fact that work is ongoing proves Dabolim airport will continue to operate.
