PANAJI: A Goa-based NGO has expressed surprise over the state government’s move to hand over land for the proposed greenfield airport in North district to a private entity when it does not hold any stake in the project as indicated by the Union Civil Aviation ministry.
“Union Civil Aviation ministry has indicated that Goa government will not hold any stake in the proposed greenfield airport at Mopa but will have representation on the Board of Directors with veto powers. This came as a surprise to us,” NGO Gen Next President Durgadas Kamat said in a statement issued here.
A Civil Aviation ministry official was also recently quoted as saying that Goa will not have any stake in Mopa airport project.
“Mopa will have the distinction of being the first airport project in India where the state government will not be owner, even partially,” Kamat said.
“Not being share holder is indeed surprising as land is being given by Goa government. A total of 381 acres of land worth Rs 3000 crore has been given for the project. As Goa government is giving prime land for the project it has to be a shareholder in it,” he demanded.
Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has already issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to four private companies in connection with the airport project, the first phase of which
would be completed in 2019.
The NGO has also said the airport will bring in huge influx of people in the village changing the demography.
“Goa is already threatened with uncontrolled migration, the airport project will add to it,” Kamat said.
Source: The New Indian Express