Voices raised in Pernem in support of airport -ToI

TNN | May 21, 2013, 06.36 AM IST PERNEM:With South Goa recently witnessing a series of 'Dabolim only' meetings that had slammed the government's move to construct a Greenfield airport at Mopa, Pernem taluka, where the new airport will come up, is witnessing voices raised in support of the project. Recent gram sabhas in Arambol, Morjim and Paliem village panchayats saw resolutions passed supporting the government move. The taluka's most prominent NGOs-Morjicho Ekvott in Morjim and Durvankur in Arambol-have also expressed their support to the project. "We need development, and the airport project will help develop the backward areas of North Goa," said Vasant Shetgaonkar, president of Morjicho Ekvott. Morjim sarpanch Dhananjay Shetgaonkar agreed, "Many villages across Pernem taluka depend on tourism and a project like an airport will create many employment and business opportunities for the youth." He said villagers in Morjim moved a resolution at a gram sabha extending support to the Mopa airport. Sources said the Arambol village panchayat saw the same thing, with villagers taking a unanimous decision supporting the project. Paliem village panchayat's sarpanch Sandip Nhanji said, "The Mopa international airport project is important for the development of Goa as well as Pernem. The panchayat supports the project." Laxmikant Parsekar, health minister and the BJP legislator representing the taluka's Mandrem constituency told TOI, "The proposed international airport project at Mopa is important for Goa. In the years to come air traffic will increase and to handle this increased flow of passengers it is important to have the airport at Mopa." Shetgaonkar stressed, "The Mopa airport will enhance tourism in Goa, lead to the creation of various infrastructure projects, enhance employment opportunities, boost the service industry and give a boost to airport-related services and employment." The Mopa airport, once functional, is also expected to boost the overall development of Pernem taluka, which is currently considered one of the most under-developed talukas in the state. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Voices-raised-in-Pernem-in-support-of-airport/articleshow/20164268.cms