Vasco: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday allayed the fears that existing Dabolim Airport in the state would be shut down once Greenfield Airport at Mopa in North Goa becomes operational.
“Dabolim Airport will not be closed. The operations at Dabolim Airport will not be stopped,” the chief minister told a gathering at Vasco on Thursday in presence of Union Port Minister Sarbananda Sonowal during foundation stone laying of a cruise terminal building at Mormugao Port Trust.
Sawant was referring to the statement made by Goa Forward Party leaders that Dabolim Airport may be shut down. The GFP had made the statement after State Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho had said that if the taxi operators at Dabolim Airport do not adapt to the latest technology, then it may result in closure of the Airport.
“No one should spread doubts about Dabolim Airport. Both the Airports will be functional,” Sawant said.
The chief minister said that the State government will hold meeting next week to chalk out the plan for both the Airports. He said that if international flights are diverted to Mopa Airport, the domestic flights can land at Dabolim.
Speaking about the proposed cruise terminal, Sawant said that the terminal will change the face of Mormugao taluka providing employment opportunities and also increasing thebusiness at MPT.
He said that at present 10-12 cruise ships arrive at the MPT but after the terminal building is ready, their number will increase to 50.
Sawant said that the MPT was largely dependent on the mining activities but since the closure of the mines, it is facing reduction in the business. The facilities like cruise terminal will help to increase the economic activity at the port, he said.
