Source: The Times of India Goa August 24, 2013
Mapusa: NGO 'People for Mopa' held a public meeting in Mapusa to garner support for the Mopa airport project. This is the first meeting the NGO held outside Pernem. The NGO has held meetings in almost all villages in the Pernem Taluka which were well-attended and supported by many people.
"Few elements from South Goa are misguiding people over the Mopa airport project by spreading wrong information. In reality, Mopa is the need of the hour and it's high time people come in large numbers to support the project," said Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) chairperson Sandip Fulari at the meeting.
The meeting was attended by former MMC chairperson Sudhir Kandolkar, Shiv Sena Goa chief Ramesh Naik, People for Mopa Bardez convenor Eknath Mhapsekar and a large number of people.
"The state is facing a financial crunch after the mining ban and now revenue largely depends on tourism. The Mopa airport will generate tourism and hence the income for the state, Mopa is a golden opportunity for the state of Goa to generate revenue," Falari said.
"Goa is the number seven tourism destination of the world. Dabolim airport falls short to cater to the needs of travellers. There are restrictions by the Navy too. For parking facilities, assistance is required from the Mumbai or Pune airports. Mopa is needed for the development of Goa," said Naik.
"People from North Goa have never opposed the development in south Goa, South Goa has an international airport, main railway station, but unfortunately some elements from South Goa are unnecessarily creating hurdles for the Mopa airport," Naik said.
Locals in the taluka, under the banner of the newly-formed NGO, People for Mopa Airport (PMA), have stepped up their movement in support of the Mopa airport project. Most panchayats in the Pernem taluka have unanimously passed resolutions supporting the proposed Mopa airport.
Fifteen of 20 panchayats have also passed resolutions requesting the government to initiate the procedure of Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the Mopa airport.
Meetings will be held across the state, PMA convenor Devendra Prabhudesai said.
