South Goa MP Sparks Political Storm Over Alleged Dabolim Airport Closure Plan
South Goa Member of Parliament Capt (retd) Viriato Fernandes ignited a significant political controversy on Thursday by making a startling claim. He asserted that the Goa state government had secretly given its consent to the central government to permanently shut down Dabolim airport for all commercial and civil aviation operations.
Fernandes described this alleged move as a "shocking betrayal" of the people of Goa. He stated that confidential information had been received indicating the Goa government had been compromised on the critical issue of Dabolim airport's future. "The file has already been moved," Fernandes revealed, suggesting bureaucratic processes for closure were underway.
Massive Economic and Employment Impact Feared
The MP warned that between 4.5 to 5 lakh people who depend directly or indirectly on Dabolim airport for their livelihoods would be left jobless if the closure proceeds. "This is like striking at Goa's economy. People won't forgive this betrayal by Goa's ministers," Fernandes declared, emphasizing the severe repercussions for the state's financial stability and employment sector.
In response to these allegations, Fernandes has formally written to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. His letter, dated February 12, urgently requests the minister to ensure the continuity of civil operations at the naval air station. The MP referenced a historical precedent, recalling that the previous United Progressive Alliance government, under chairperson Sonia Gandhi and then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, had taken a cabinet decision to maintain civil aviation operations at both Dabolim and the newer Mopa airport.
Opposition Leaders Rally Against Alleged Closure
Opposition leader Yuri Alemao strongly condemned the proposal, labeling it the "death of Dabolim airport." Alemao accused the state government of protecting the interests of GMR, the private operator of Mopa airport, at the expense of Dabolim. "This is a slap on the people of South Goa by the Pramod Sawant government. The chief minister should immediately ask the defence minister for clarification; otherwise, there will be an agitation," Alemao warned, signaling potential public unrest.
State Congress president Amit Patkar launched a direct attack on Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, accusing him of misleading the public about assurances from the defence minister regarding Dabolim's operational status. "He should apologise to the people of Goa. The double engine government should now prevail upon its first engine to cancel the file moved for shutting Dabolim airport," Patkar demanded, referencing the BJP's governance model at state and central levels.
Ultimatum Issued and Resignation Demanded
Goa Forward Party president Vijay Sardesai escalated the political pressure by issuing a seven-day ultimatum to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho. He demanded an unequivocal written guarantee that Dabolim airport will remain fully operational for civilian use. "Either they issue a guarantee or Goa will witness a statewide agitation unlike any before," Sardesai warned starkly.
Furthermore, Sardesai stated that if the transport minister proves incapable of safeguarding Dabolim airport's future, he must resign from his position immediately. This demand adds a significant personal accountability dimension to the growing political crisis surrounding the airport's fate.
Fernandes bolstered his argument by citing multiple examples of successful shared operational agreements at various Air Force stations across India, including Leh, Srinagar, Chandigarh, Pune, and Agra. He emphasized that Dabolim, which currently handles 50 to 60 civil aircraft landings daily alongside Indian Navy operations, has functioned smoothly for years without hindrance to either military or civilian activities.
