Matanhy wanted Navy to vacate Dabolim airport
Amidst
growing and sound opposition expressed against Mopa airport through the media
and editorials, it is time running out for the Government to take a pause and
address the question raised
by people of Goa, before it evolves into a popular movement. To state that
Dabolim will continue inspite
of Mopa, is foolhardy. It is the duty of any elected Government to
listen to the voices of the people. More
so, the ‘already controversial Mopa
airport’ was not part of the BJP Government’s election manifesto and therefore
has no mandate.
It is a
shocking tribute by the CM to say on the
floor of the house, that ‘Matanhy was in favour of Mopa airport’, and that
too on his first death anniversary. Matanhy’s views and statements on Dabolim
and
Mopa airport are clear, well published and on record. “Matanhy
was totally against Mopa and said that Goa is too small for another
airport”. He insisted that the Naval
occupation of Dabolim is illegal and should be forced to vacate. He wanted
Dabolim to be wholly returned back
to the civilian Government. He
believed that Mopa will be a disaster
for Goa just like the Konkan railway, which inspite of tall claims, is running
in crores of losses even after 15 years of operation.
The very
fact that KPMG has been asked to work on a revenue model for the Mopa airport,
means that it is not a feasible project and
how to make it feasible is being looked at !
‘Any consultant for that matter, will be willing to provide feasibility
report on paper, for a fee’.
Goa already receives more tourists than its
population. The filth and garbage
generated is out of control, road congestion leading to accidents,
inadequate parking
spaces, water shortages, mounting crimes and robberies, gambling, drugs and
prostitution on the rise, we must learn to cater only what we can manage.
Turning Mopa into an
export hub is a contradiction, as agricultural land is rapidly under assault
by real estate mafias and farmers are being
marginalised. Needless to add, the
poorest people in Goa are commonly farmers.
More
importantly, a project of such a huge magnitude, which involves displacement
of thousands of
people dependant on agriculture, loss of livelihood, destruction to the
environment, and in the long run losing a centrally located Dabolim airport;
must be put up for serious debate, and if necessary, even decided by a
referendum.
Geraldo
Oliveira