Goa should act fast on new airport, says Patel 10 May 2008, 0152 hrs IST,Yogesh Naik,TNN
PANAJI: Union civil aviation minister Praful Patel has expressed strong dissatisfaction about the Goa government's tardy pace of work on the new airport. Speaking to TOI, Patel said, "I wish the Goa government would act fast on creating a new airport. Our policy is to create more airports in the country. Goa has an issue about keeping the old airport in Dabolim operational and this can be discussed at length. But work on the new airport and land acquisition must start." The airport at Dabolim belongs to Indian Navy and is getting busier with the number of flights increasing. The government has selected Mopa in North Goa as the airport site. Patel said there have been enough meetings on this issue and he wanted action from the Goa government. He said that by adding a new airport, Goa can give a big fillip to tourism. Until five years back, Goa had 18 to 20 flights a day. With tourism growing, the flights have increased to 35. Besides, during the tourist season, there are five to eight charter aircraft which occupy the bays. The Mopa airport project has suffered severely due to differences between politicians in Goa. Key politicians from South Goa have repeatedly opposed the Mopa airport since it is a long distance away from South Goa's tourist attractions. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Goa/Goa_should_act_fast_on_new_airpor t_says_Patel/articleshow/3026328.cms ~(^^)~ Avelino
