News -- Goa: Congress a Divided House over Construction of Mopa
International Airport
from Rupesh Samant in Panaji for Daijiworld News Network - Goa
Panaji, Sep 8: It is Congress versus Congress in Goa. The Congress
party in Goa seems to be divided vertically over the construction of
international airport on the northern tip of Goa -- Mopa.
Lok Sabha member of parliament Churchill Alemao has crossed swords with
chief minister Pratapsingh Rane over the Mopa airport issue. Alemao has
decided to oppose the new airport at Mopa tooth and nail saying. "It
will kill the tourism industry in south Goa.''
The proposed new airport is to be situated on the Northern tip of Goa
bordering Maharashtra. This, according to Alemao, would benefit Konkan
belt in Maharashtra more, killing tourism industry in south Goa.
Instead, Alemao and few other congressmen including his brother Joaquim
Alemao (a minister in Rane cabinet) has insisted, thet existing Dabolim
airport should be retained with the state government. Currently,
Dabolim airport besides allowing civilian aircrafts is a naval base.
The issue had attained serious proportions as All India Congress
committee (AICC) general secretary Margaret Alva, during her recent
visit to Goa, had to intervene between both the bigwig politicians to
resolve the differences.
Chief minister Rane, commenting on the controversy, strongly supported
Mopa airport project stating, "The new airport is required keeping in
mind the requirement of next 25 years.''
"Existing airport has restrictions. It can't accommodate huge
aircrafts. We have to think of the future,'' he said. When asked about
its possible effects on south Goa's tourism industry, Rane quipped, "We
can start a railway shuttle between south Goa and Mopa airport. The
tourists will naturally travel to south Goa.''
But this has failed to stem the controversy. Alemao, time and again, is
issuing press statements criticizing state government over the Mopa
airport.
Alva who tried troubleshooting seems to have failed in her mission with
even after her visit the Congressmen having continued locking horns
over the issue.
---------------------
Regards,
Carlos
