MARGAO:
Seeking to allay the fears of tourism stakeholders from South Goa that
their business prospects would be hampered post-Mopa, chief minister
Manohar Parrikar on Thursday said that Mopa airport would serve in
making the tourism pie bigger that will benefit all stakeholders from
across the state.
"They keep fighting over a small pie of tourism. We are making the pie bigger," Parrikar said.
Addressing mediapersons after inaugurating the South Goa district office of the directorate of agriculture, Parrikar sought to suggest that those fears were unfounded as the "fast corridor" would connect the old airport with the new one and with hotels in South Goa.
The chief minister further expressed his willingness to come on an "open platform" over the Mopa airport issue, once all the facts about the project are presented by him to the public in November.
Parrikar has already announced that he will hold a couple of interactive sessions in South Goa over the issue in November. Goans for Dabolim Only (GFDO) had, in an open letter, invited Parrikar to a public debate on the dual airport issue with a view to clearing the doubts among the public.
He further reiterated that the Dabolim airport will be retained "as it is" and with "similar traffic even after Mopa". "We want to increase the passenger traffic to 6-8 million," Parrikar said.
Parrikar also underscored his government's resolve to go ahead with the Mopa airport. "We are very firm on it. Absolutely, under no circumstances it will change," he said. He said that nowhere where there are 2-3 airports, the old ones have been stopped. He also dismissed the demand made from certain quarters that the Indian Navy should be moved away from Dabolim, stating that was against national interest.
"Those who are demanding that the Navy be shifted from Dabolim do not understand the importance of the naval base there. Even if it is (decided to be) shifted to Karwar, it will take 15-20 years (for it to be set up), and some 10-15 crore. But what shall we do until then?" Parrikar said.
"Goa doesn't mean only South Goa," he emphasized.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/They-fight-over-a-small-piece-of-tourism-pie-well-make-it-bigger/articleshow/44842590.cms
"They keep fighting over a small pie of tourism. We are making the pie bigger," Parrikar said.
Addressing mediapersons after inaugurating the South Goa district office of the directorate of agriculture, Parrikar sought to suggest that those fears were unfounded as the "fast corridor" would connect the old airport with the new one and with hotels in South Goa.
The chief minister further expressed his willingness to come on an "open platform" over the Mopa airport issue, once all the facts about the project are presented by him to the public in November.
Parrikar has already announced that he will hold a couple of interactive sessions in South Goa over the issue in November. Goans for Dabolim Only (GFDO) had, in an open letter, invited Parrikar to a public debate on the dual airport issue with a view to clearing the doubts among the public.
He further reiterated that the Dabolim airport will be retained "as it is" and with "similar traffic even after Mopa". "We want to increase the passenger traffic to 6-8 million," Parrikar said.
Parrikar also underscored his government's resolve to go ahead with the Mopa airport. "We are very firm on it. Absolutely, under no circumstances it will change," he said. He said that nowhere where there are 2-3 airports, the old ones have been stopped. He also dismissed the demand made from certain quarters that the Indian Navy should be moved away from Dabolim, stating that was against national interest.
"Those who are demanding that the Navy be shifted from Dabolim do not understand the importance of the naval base there. Even if it is (decided to be) shifted to Karwar, it will take 15-20 years (for it to be set up), and some 10-15 crore. But what shall we do until then?" Parrikar said.
"Goa doesn't mean only South Goa," he emphasized.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/They-fight-over-a-small-piece-of-tourism-pie-well-make-it-bigger/articleshow/44842590.cms
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