Drop MOPA-Airport project: Faleiro

Panaji, Apr 9 (UNI) Goa Education Minister Luizinho Faleiro, during his recent visit to Delhi requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to shelve the proposed Mopa international airport project and instead continue the proposed for international status to Dabolim airport.

Mr Faleiro, who returned from Delhi visit yesterday said that the Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Praful Patel has promised a sum of Rs 500 crore for the purpose of expansion and upgradation of the Dabolim airport.

During his visit, Mr Faleiro said he presented his views on the project to the Prime Minister through a letter handed over to his office. He added that he also met the Congress National President, Ms Sonia Gandhi and clarified his stand on the Mopa airport further requesteing her to drop the project.

''A close reading of the feasibility report (about the proposed Mopa international airport) reveals that the proposed airport is economically unviable and financially unsound. Besides, politically too it is only causing dissension and division among the Congressmen,'' Mr Faliero said in his letter.

Further in the letter he stated ''The feasibility (on the Mopa airport) confirms the apprehensions of the people of Goa that upon the commissioning of the airport at Mopa, the one at Dabolim would be closed for commercial flights. If that happens, it will severely and adversely affect tourism, which is the lifeline of the people of Goa.'' UNI SRN MJ CS GC1332