http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=10155
No change in Goa's airport, claims Churchill NT News Service Margao Oct 14: The South Goa MP, Mr Churchill Alemao today said that he was given assurance by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson, Ms Sonia Gandhi that there would not be any change in the Goa's airport since Dabolim airdrome is economically viable. Addressing the media persons here in the city, Mr Alemao disclosed that Dr Singh and Ms Gandhi specifically mentioned that "the Dabolim airport is economically viable for Goans and hence it cannot be changed." "However, I will take the final confirmation from the Prime Minister when I will visit Delhi," stated Mr Alemao. He also mentioned that if the Goa government go ahead with the Mopa airport project, he would go to the people ward-to ward and reveal to them the disadvantages of having another airport at Mopa. Mr Alemao who just returned from London revealed that ward-wise committees would be set up to oppose the Mopa airport in the district for the benefit of the South Goa people. "The South Goa people prospered with the hotel industry of South Goa with the help of Dabolim airport," he added. He also mentioned that few self-centered politicians of the state tried to convince him that the project would take another thirty years to turn into reality. Mr Alemao supported by the Goan working in Sweden over the airport issue, said that if Mopa airport is been made as international airport it would only help the people of Sindhdurg and other parts of Maharashtra. He also expressed displeasure over the resolution taken by the zilla panchayat of South Goa supporting the Mopa airport. "The Congress party chairperson, Mr Alex Lourenco and Mr Atul Verlekar cannot take such resolutions before going to the people," he said. Meanwhile, Mr Alemao declaring the names of the party candidates for the 8 out of 10 MMC wards of Fatorda constituency said that he met the few local leaders before finalising the candidatures. But sources in the know revealed that the in-built groups of the Congress party swelled with the release of the list. -- Cheers, Gabe Menezes. London, England