Goemkarponn desk
PORVORIM: In response to several airlines moving to the Manohar International Airport in Mopa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant declared on Thursday that operations at the Dabolim airport would not be allowed to be closed, even as opposition members stood up to interrupt him and demand an explanation for his claims.
As soon as Sawant said, in response to a question about demands for the Civil Aviation Department, that the Dabolim airport would not close, opposition leader Yuri Alemao, Benaulim MLA of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Venzy Viegas, and Vijai Sardesai of the Goa Forward Party stood up, claiming the Chief Minister’s claim was baseless.
In response to their demands, Sawant later stated that he would meet with the civil aviation minister to discuss the issues, which included lowering parking costs and usage fees to stop airlines from operating out of Dabolim to Mopa airport.
Sawant promised the house to do whatever was there in the capacity of the state and the central govt to ensure that existing airlines do not leave the Dabolim Airport and shift to Mopa and MIA starts with new airlines and new destinations. Sawant said he will meet the Civil Aviation Minister and urge him to consider lowering of user development fees(UDF) and parking fees at Dabolim airport.
Around 1,900 Goans primarily from Pernem, Bardez, and Bicholim Talukas have been recruited at Manohar International Airport, informed CM Pramod Sawant.
