The apparent confusion in CM Rane's mindset is compounded when it is reported by HERALD! The result is tragi-comedy of the first order.
Take the front page report of Feb 15 titled "Goa needs Mopa: CM". Here are some gems from Rane: 1. Goa needs to THINK of accommodating wide range of aircrafts ...[747s already land here, for crying out loud] 2. We can SEE if two airports can function IN TIMES TO COME ....[How about "ensuring" that?] 3. While SUPPORTING the need for Dabolim to continue ...[But I'm not going to go out of my way, OK?!] How do such wishy washy words help us contend with the burning issue of Goa's airports? HERALD doesnt help with its own reporting such as: 1. He, however allayed FEARS that there could be NO IMMEDIATE CLOSURE of Dabolim airport ... [Hopefully its the opposite!] 2. Parrikar said, "The techno-feasbility for Mopa SHOULD NOT have any impact on Dabolim ...[Obligatory or probabilistic?] 3. Central Cabinet decision for closure of Dabolim can be SOUGHT for a change. ["Change" is wrongly positioned at the end instead of beginning?] Finally the substantive points 1. Rane talks about handling "1000 flights". Are these daily, weekly, annual or what? Checking the story in NAVHIND TIMES clarified the mystery. Its about "charter" flights! These are currently around 700 or 800. It works out to only about 4 to 6 per day during a 6 month tourist season. Why should that be such a big deal? 2. The reference to the investment for enhancing infrastructure at Dabolim airport in one breath while admitting that the Cabinet has decided to close Dabolim when Mopa comes onstream. Then what is the upgrade for? Remember the amount bandied about is half that of the estimated cost for Mopa. Is the civil enclave going to become a VVIP enclave for defence, government bigwigs in times to come with the hoi polloi shunted out to Mopa? Its very clear that the whole aim of CM Rane is to bulldoze the present plan for Mopa through when what is required is a frank admission that it needs to be completely re-done honestly and sensibly as a joint civilian facility with Dabolim.