Congress MP opposes plan to host Aero Show at Mopa airport

Congress MP from Goa Shantaram Naik has opposed the plan to host the next Aero Show at the proposed greenfield airport at Mopa, saying doing so will convert the facility into a second defence airport.

The existing Dabolim airport in Goa is a defence facility with a civil enclave inside it. The new airport at Mopa, about 50km from here, is being constructed by GMR Group and will be ready by 2020.

"The statement issued by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar to the effect that the greenfield international airport at Mopa could soon be the permanent venue for Aero Show, is without any authority, is malicious and against the interest of Goa," Naik said in a press release here today.

"It is surprising the Chief Minister has the audacity to declare that if Mopa is not ready for holding the next Aero Show, it will be held at Dabolim," he added.

The Rajya Sabha MP said the plan to host Aero Show indicates the BJP-led Government wants to create another defence airport at Mopa, which will restrict the movement of aircraft as happening at the existing Dabolim facility.

Naik said it is shocking the Defence Ministry is encroaching on the jurisdiction of Civil Aviation Ministry which deals with the Mopa airport.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)