CM: No need for enclave at Mopa airport

Panaji: Chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Friday joined issue with defence minister Manohar Parrikar on the question of alloting five acres of land to the Navy at the proposed Mopa airport, saying that adequate land was already available with the Navy at Dabolim airport. While Parrikar insists on allotment of a five-acre land for a naval enclave at the proposed airport, reported first in TOI, Parsekar said that since it was about national security, he had agreed to provide the land for parking of aircraft.The CM added that he would speak to Parrikar regarding the issue.
Parsekar told TOI that it is a defence ministry policy that wherever airports are built in coastal areas, they want land reserved. In Goa, the Navy already controls the Dabolim airport so they can manage.
“I am open for talks on the issue,” he added.
He also said that initially, defence ministry had sought 10-acre land, but after discussions this was brought down to five acres. Parsekar said that when it comes to national security, one cannot say no.
Parrikar rejected the state government’s plea to cancel the request seeking land for a naval enclave at Mopa.
The defence minister in his letter to Parsekar said, “Naval enclave is considered critical for naval aircraft operations and recommended to be retained. The proposed five-acre land for this purpose could be given on lease for the entire period of concession. The proposed naval infrastructure would be created for which the cost will be borne by ministry of defence with a separate independent entry/exit to the naval facility.”