Porvorim (GNH): Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the House that despite competition from the newly constructed International Airport at Mopa, the Dabolim Airport has been performing well.
While Mopa is located in North Goa and Dabolim in South. Sawant was responding to a calling attention motion moved by Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai raising concerns about the future of Dabolim Airport, after the inauguration of Manohar International Airport, Mopa.
Sawant said that the statistics indicate that the Dabolim Airport shall continue to operate smoothly and its significance in Goa’s economy will remain intact since the number of
tourists visiting Goa is increasing day by day and both the airports in Goa shall sustain without any hindrance.
The chief minister said that the State Government is aware about the proposed projected expansion plan of the Goa International Airport at Dabolim for the period of next 10 years from financial year 2024-25 wherein they propose to acquire approx. 8.3 acres of land from the Indian Navy for enhancement of terminal building and related air side infrastructure.
“The Dabolim Airport has been performing to its optimum capacity and has 57 per cent share in the Goa’s air traffic currently,” he said.
He said that the Government of Goa has been lending its continued support to the Dabolim Airport by facilitating the development of ancillary infrastructure such as provision of Grade Separator in the recent past to reduce traffic congestion in the vicinity of new terminal building.
The chief minister said that since the entire Goa State is an International Tourist Hub, there is a tremendous potential for growth of tourism in the entire state including the utility of both the airports in Goa.
“As there will always be a limit for expansion of even the Manohar International Airport. Hence the significance of Dabolim Airport cannot be undermined and it shall always be very needful facility for the development of the Tourism in the Goa State,” he said.
Sawant said that the Government of Goa is committed to provide all the required facilitation for expansion of Goa International Airport at Dabolim to ensure continuity, viability and sustainability of the Dabolim Airport along with that of the Manohar International Airport.
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