NT Reporter
Panaji
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant Monday said that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has categorically assured the Goa delegation that met him that civil operations will continue at the Dabolim International Airport with due consideration to Goa’s interest and that the airport will never be taken over by Navy.
The Sawant-led delegation met Singh in New Delhi and discussed about the continuity of operations at the Dabolim airport.
“Godinho and I explained to the Minister for Defence about the need of civil operations at Dabolim for further growth of tourism in Goa. We are glad that Rajnath Singh has reassured us that in the interest of Goa, this airport will continue with the civil operations,” Sawant said.
He said that the Goa delegation impressed upon Singh how both, Dabolim and the Manohar International airport at Mopa are required for Goa’s growth.
In a video statement released late Monday evening, Sawant said Singh has assured that there is no proposal to hand over the entire Dabolim airport to Navy and neither will such a move be undertaken.
Stating that the Opposition has been creating confusion among people by raising the issue of the possible closure of the Dabolim airport, Sawant said, “With this reassurance from the Minister for Defence, it is crystal clear that civil operations will continue at the Dabolim airport.”
Sawant was accompanied by Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade, Minister for Industries and Panchayat Mauvin Godinho and BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral.
