Dabolim Airport will not be grounded, assures Kamat

Margao: Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat has allayed apprehensions raised over the Dabolim airport following the nod given by the high-level committee for a new airport at Mopa and asserted that the Union government would soon tender bids for construction of a new terminal building at Dabolim on par with international standards.
That’s not all. Kamat said the Navy has already okayed 2.5 acres of land for expansion of Dabolim airport, adding that modalities are being worked out for the transfer of the land from the Navy to the Airport Authority of India.
“The stand of my government is very clear, that the Dabolim airport should be retained as an international airport even after Mopa becomes a reality, Kamat told Herald on Thursday.
He said under no circumstances will the government allow the closure of the Dabolim airport after the new airport at Mopa becomes a reality.
In this connection, he pointed out that the high-level committee has inserted a host of conditions in its report recommending Mopa airport, including the condition that the Union cabinet will have to reverse its earlier decision on the closure of the Dabolim airport.
Secondly, Kamat said the committee has made it amply clear that the expansion work on the Dabolim airport should be taken up and completed before the new airport comes into existence.
17/07/08 Herald Publications

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Airports Jul 2008