Here is a common Goenkar's view regarding whether Goa needs a new airport, though experts in the field of aviation and economics are better placed for such analysis.
Anybody who has travelled abroad via the Mumbai International airport would know the hassles of international travel. Every day thousands of Indian and foreign travellers are subject to lengthy delays due to overcrowding of this airport. First there is a huge line at the gate of the terminal. Secondly comes a line at the airline counters. After the immigration counter, the lines become serpentine. It is common to see people faint in the line especially during midnight out of complete exhaustion. Then comes the line for security checks. Leaving the country with memories of congestion, disorder and exhaustion does not do any good to promote an Incredible India.
The Mumbai airport is highly connected with the rest of the country and the world, making it a convenient port of entry, exit into the country as well as a connecting port for onward journeys. But the airport seems to be clearly running out of capacity. It is hence necessary to spread the load and have another greenfield airport and if Goa can take advantage of this need and build our own airport, it should be more than welcomed.
It sounds completely incorrect to link the need for an airport only to the projected inflow of tourists. Tourists are just a small percentage of travellers. An international airport is a port of entry into a country and not just a state. Travellers enter the country and proceed towards their destination. Not every traveller intends to stay in the state. In addition, airports are used for the transport of cargo containing the country's import and export goods. Goa may not be the producer of most export goods, but India as a country definitely is. The state gets tax for every flight that lands or takes off and every passenger who flies. With careful manipulation of the tax structure, it should be possible to make it more attractive for airlines to land in Goa. It is also a huge economy booster and job avenue. Goans have been taking jobs in gulf countries in duty free shops, restaurants, cab companies, parlours, etc. These will now be available right here in our home state to be grabbed by Goans if they have the will. People whom we call 'bhaile' or outsiders will take these jobs if and only if they are not taken by insiders.
An international airport will be used more by international travellers and less by residents of the state. If such a project has to be set up in Goa, it better be in one corner of the state and hence Mopa appears to be the appropriate choice. Agreed that Mopa today is not well connected with the rest of the state. This would of course be supported by infrastructure like a multi-lane expressway to connect the two districts, additional bus routes, etc. which would be completed by the time the airport is fully operational.
Anywhere else in the world, such a project would have been unanimously invited. In our country, nothing is achieved without opposition. Konkan Railway which was widely opposed now greatly benefits the state. Those who are opposing the Mopa airport don't seem to be opposing the airport coming up in Sindhudurg. If we go by their logic that an airport in the North will harm their business, the airport in Sindhudurg should be considered much more threatening as the whole of Goa would stand to lose. But the same protesters seem to be fine with the idea of a neighbouring state winning over our state. What about the Goenkars who will suffer because South Maharashtra turns more competent and the whole economy in the Konkan region gets polarised to the advantage of Maharashtra?
A single airport that caters to all needs from a central location like Dabolim and operates unrestricted at all hours would be an ideal case. However, the Navy which has occupied Dabolim finds it the most strategic location, being almost facing the coastline towards the country's biggest enemy. Restrictions are imposed on the operating hours due to training excercises. Though this is the root of the airport debate, the presence of the Navy in Goa makes us the most protected state in case on war. Asking the Navy to vacate its most strategic location is almost like asking your building's watchman not to sit at the front gate.
Goa is the size of a large city in India. North and South Goa are merely adjacent districts and not separate planets. Goa has a brand name that makes every tourist stepping into Goa visit all the spots of interest. It is only an irrational imagination that one part of the state will lose due to a project in another. This is one rare project supported by all major national political parties and promises to give a fresh lease of life to Goa's economy. What Goenkars need is the idea of being able to unitedly clinch the opportunity and think of the benefit to Goa as a whole.
Anybody who has travelled abroad via the Mumbai International airport would know the hassles of international travel. Every day thousands of Indian and foreign travellers are subject to lengthy delays due to overcrowding of this airport. First there is a huge line at the gate of the terminal. Secondly comes a line at the airline counters. After the immigration counter, the lines become serpentine. It is common to see people faint in the line especially during midnight out of complete exhaustion. Then comes the line for security checks. Leaving the country with memories of congestion, disorder and exhaustion does not do any good to promote an Incredible India.
The Mumbai airport is highly connected with the rest of the country and the world, making it a convenient port of entry, exit into the country as well as a connecting port for onward journeys. But the airport seems to be clearly running out of capacity. It is hence necessary to spread the load and have another greenfield airport and if Goa can take advantage of this need and build our own airport, it should be more than welcomed.
An international airport will be used more by international travellers and less by residents of the state. If such a project has to be set up in Goa, it better be in one corner of the state and hence Mopa appears to be the appropriate choice. Agreed that Mopa today is not well connected with the rest of the state. This would of course be supported by infrastructure like a multi-lane expressway to connect the two districts, additional bus routes, etc. which would be completed by the time the airport is fully operational.
Anywhere else in the world, such a project would have been unanimously invited. In our country, nothing is achieved without opposition. Konkan Railway which was widely opposed now greatly benefits the state. Those who are opposing the Mopa airport don't seem to be opposing the airport coming up in Sindhudurg. If we go by their logic that an airport in the North will harm their business, the airport in Sindhudurg should be considered much more threatening as the whole of Goa would stand to lose. But the same protesters seem to be fine with the idea of a neighbouring state winning over our state. What about the Goenkars who will suffer because South Maharashtra turns more competent and the whole economy in the Konkan region gets polarised to the advantage of Maharashtra?
A single airport that caters to all needs from a central location like Dabolim and operates unrestricted at all hours would be an ideal case. However, the Navy which has occupied Dabolim finds it the most strategic location, being almost facing the coastline towards the country's biggest enemy. Restrictions are imposed on the operating hours due to training excercises. Though this is the root of the airport debate, the presence of the Navy in Goa makes us the most protected state in case on war. Asking the Navy to vacate its most strategic location is almost like asking your building's watchman not to sit at the front gate.
Goa is the size of a large city in India. North and South Goa are merely adjacent districts and not separate planets. Goa has a brand name that makes every tourist stepping into Goa visit all the spots of interest. It is only an irrational imagination that one part of the state will lose due to a project in another. This is one rare project supported by all major national political parties and promises to give a fresh lease of life to Goa's economy. What Goenkars need is the idea of being able to unitedly clinch the opportunity and think of the benefit to Goa as a whole.
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