Times of India

Panaji, May 31: The Mopa airport committee finalised its report on Friday recommending construction of a greenfield airport at Mopa in North Goa on Friday. 

Chief minister Digambar Kamat told the media that he has already issued directions to the collector (North Goa) to start the formalities for land acquisition at Mopa. 

Government sources said that the Mopa plateau is barren, save for about 12 houses, owners of which have been consulted and have agreed to rehabilitation. When asked if the emergency clause would be invoked for land acquisition, Kamat said, “Whatever required will be done.” 

Sources told TOI that the government will first acquire
the required land. An international agency or a consultant will then prepare the international tendering for the project construction. The economics of the project and the final costs will be know only then. 

The actual tendering may happen six months after completion of various formalities including consultations with the Centre. 

The ownership patterns and operator options will be covered in the international tendering. The Mopa airport project, estimated to cost around $ 205 million, could be fully commissioned in about 8 years time, government sources said. 

The report also recommended that the mutation cases regarding land surveyed in the name of the Indian Navy at Dabolim should be reviewed. The report expressed concern over the residential buildings constructed by naval authorities on land occupied by them and recommended that the same be discouraged. 

Reportedly, Naik also pointed out at the meeting that the files pertaining to the construction of the integrated terminal building and the apron at Dabolim are pending in Delhi for various procedural requirements. The civil aviation secretary, K N Srivastava assured that this would be pursued. 

In the absence of chief secretary J P Singh, development commissioner Anand Prakash and Mopa airport director, Mihir Vardhan, who is also the North Goa collector, attended today’s meeting.