NT Reporter
Panaji
MLAs, on Wednesday, raised concerns over the declining air traffic at Dabolim airport, warning that the facility was at risk of being sidelined as airlines increasingly shift operations to Manohar International Airport at Mopa.
The discussion focused on repeated assurances made by successive governments that Dabolim would continue to operate full-fledged even after the opening of Mopa.
MLAs said the assurances were not being honoured.
Curtorim Independent MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco said many airlines had already moved to Mopa despite promises to the contrary.
“The government should state what steps it will take to retain flights at Dabolim and whether these promises are just eyewash,” he said. He also called for the resumption of Goa-Kuwait flights at least twice a week.
Leader of Opposition
and Cuncolim Congress MLA Yuri Alemao demanded a detailed roadmap from the government to bring new airlines to Dabolim.
“The Chief Minister has been giving only slogans. The figures of flights exiting at the airport are worrisome. It is on the way to becoming a ghost airport,” he said.
Legislators urged the government to act before passenger volumes fall further and the airport’s viability comes under threat.
The GFP MLA said such practices cannot continue while government departments remain inactive and schools are misused for personal gain.
