Mopa airport unviable:
ICAO
Agencies, New Delhi
22 October 2007
Goa may be one of the biggest tourist spots in India but
it can’t have two operational airports and find their
operations viable.
Following a long debate over the proposed new airport in
the north at Mopa and the existing one at Dabholim, the state
had recently asked the International Civil Aviation Organisation
(ICAO) to examine if these two could be used together. Now
the Montreal-based global agency has submitted its report
to the state, clearly saying that this will not be financially
viable.
‘‘Currently Dabholim handles 2.2 passengers annually.
According to ICAO estimates, this figure will rise to 4 million
and 6 million by 2014 and 2022, respectively. A totally private
airport will require a threshold limit of 12 million departing
passengers and 24 million total traffic,’’ says
the report. So even with a high traffic growth projection,
the $325-million Mopa airport may not be financially viable
if it is fully funded by a private player.
While Goa desperately needs a better airport as the existing
defence airbase at Dabholim has both night restrictions and
inadequate infrastructure, no decision has been taken due
to frequent change of state governments. There are fears that
if the new airport comes up at Mopa in north Goa, south Goa’s
thriving tourism industry will suffer and there is learnt
to be strong ‘pressure’ from that lobby.
Aviation ministry recently told the state that it has got
a proposal for an airport in Sindhudurg, about 50 km from
Goa.
‘‘If they do not decide fast and the Sindhudurg
airport is cleared, then that will start serving as the new
airport for Goa,’’ said an official.
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