In today's paper there was a report about the two replies elicited from the government of India by new Rajya Sabha member from Goa, Shantaram Naik. The second reply was from Defence Minister, Pranab Mukherjee. It was about the flight restrictions applicable at Dabolim Airport.
It seems these are in operation from Mondays through Fridays from 0830 hrs to 1300 hrs and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1900 to 2130 hours. The reason for the restriction is given in the paper as "extensive military flying". It seems the military has suddenly become a bit coy about using the word "training'" in connection with these daily operations. It may have become awkward to explain how pilots who eventually operate from the confines of an aircraft carrier need perpetual training on a runway which is as big as either Delhi or Mumbai! Its like saying that in every city there needs to be a full sized football ground every 20 km so that new car drivers can gain the confidence before learning to drive! In the process an even bigger question crops up and that is about the "extensive military flying" entailed at Goa. Its almost as if Goa is on a par with Iraq or Afghanistan in terms of military flight activities. How long will the charade continue at Dabolim? The RS member needs to follow up with a question or two about when military training flight operations will be shifted to Seabird so that civilian flights can expand at Dabolim. In his reply the Defence Minister has reportedly made much of the round the clock availability of Dabolim for civilian flights subject to the exceptions listed. This has been in existence for 2 years, enough time to evaluate its efficacy if any. Unfortunately, the military adopts a "take it or leave it attitude" without doing anything to alleviate the underlying problems. As a result, the AAI imposes a 1800 hour curfew because it is unable to staff the airport beyond this hour esp for chartered flights which require immigration counters. And the domestic airlines are unable to make exceptions to their schedules for days when there are no military restrictions as it upsets the rhythm. As a result there is one big hiatus over civilian flights at Dabolim from one year to the next. Its anybody's guess as to who will take the lead to sort out this mess.
