On March 28 I pointed out to TOI (cc posted on goanet) that its vision about Indian aviation reform was flawed due to inadvertent neglect of the obstructional role of the defence establishment. I cited the Dabolim problem as a prime example.
Almost as if in a backhanded response, yesterday's TOI had a short report titled "Karwar base all set to boost naval power". The only new thing in this report was the mention of May as the scheduled time of commissioning Seabird esp its shiplift facility (which according to earlier information was reportedly under trial since November 2004). My grouse is that while every TOI report on Seabird including the present one, dutifully mentions that it will "decongest Mumbai harbour", not a thought is spared for the crying need to "decongest Dabolim airport"! The tragedy is that Seabird is not at all intended to do this and TOI doesnt realise it. The proposed naval air station there is due only in Phase II (subject to the ever elusive "budgetary support") In the meantime, Dabolim is slated to provide training facilities for MIG-29K pilots of the Navy from 2008. This carrier based variant of the fighter plane is yet to enter worldwide service and seems to be part of the deal to acquire the Russian aircraft carrier due in India by 2008. Presumably 4 two-seater trainers will be based at Dabolim in this connection. So how Dabolim airport will ever be decongested is a big mystery. As mentioned earlier in connection with the Juhu episode, AAI will be seriously remiss if it ever agrees to pull out of Dabolim in favour of the Navy when a new airport comes up in Mopa.