Goa Cong accuses state govt of pressurising int'l airlines to shift to Mopa
The Congress on Thursday alleged that the Civil Aviation Ministry and the BJP government in the state are putting pressure on international airlines to shift from Dabolim Airport to the newly-built Manohar International Airport in Mopa to benefit the GMR group.
IANS
Jun 29, 2023 11:40
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Panaji, June 29 (IANS) The Congress on Thursday alleged that the Civil Aviation Ministry and the BJP government in the state are putting pressure on international airlines to shift from Dabolim Airport to the newly-built Manohar International Airport in Mopa to benefit the GMR group.
Addressing a press conference, Congress leader Elvis Gomes said that the BJP government has hatched a conspiracy to close down the Dabolim Airport which was built in 1955.
“People are emotionally attached to Dabolim Airport. However, the government is working in the interest of GMR group which is running the Mopa Airport. Due to lesser operations, it is presently facing loss and hence trying to snatch operations from Dabolim. This practice will definitely close down the Dabolim Airport,” he said.
“BJP government is not working in the interest of the public. It wants GMR to earn profits. I appeal to the people not to give a single vote to BJP,” Gomes said.
“The Civil Aviation Ministry and the state government are pressuring international airlines like Air India, Qatar Airways and others to shift from Dabolim to Mopa. If international operations from Dabolim are disturbed, sooner than later the airport will close down,” Gomes said.
He also said that the domestic sector will become unviable once international flights get diverted from Dabolim to Mopa.
“We demand that the government should work in the interest of the people, and not GMR. Stop harassing international airlines. It is evident that the BJP wants to spread the casino business in Goa and hence the Mopa airport has been built,” he alleged.
