Rupesh Gurudas Samant

Vasco (Goa): While construction of Mopa airport is likely to impact the traffic at existing facility at Dabolim, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has said that they will go ahead with their expansion plans considering the growth in the aviation sector.
Goa is currently having lone airport at Dabolim, which is located at Indian Navy’s base, while the first phase of proposed Greenfield airport at Mopa in North Goa is schedule to be operational by 2019.

“There is definitely going to have some effect after commencement of the airport at Mopa, but how much it would be would be known only when it becomes a reality,” Goa Airport Director BCH Negi said today, while confirming the expansion plans at Dabolim airport.

“Even after Mopa is operational, considering the kind of growth in this sector, which is taking place, we expect that we will need additional infrastructure,” he said.

Responding to a question, Negi said the kind of impact that would be felt by Dabolim airport due to Mopa is yet to be known. “But definitely, there is going to be an impact,” he said.

“How many chartered flights will go there and how many scheduled flights will go there, will be known only after Mopa airport is operational. As of now nobody ( airlines) have told us that they will be shifting to Mopa,” the director said.

“There is no such condition that they will have to inform in advance, as it is up to them to decide,” he added.

The current facility at Dabolim is currently meant to handle 5 million passengers annually but has already exceeded its upper limit as it has 6.9 million passengers arriving.

Speaking about the expansion plan, Negi said the AAI is expanding the existing facility by adding 2 million passenger capacity to it, so that the total capacity would be 7 million.

“As of now also there were so many areas which were unused, we have modified those areas so that our capacity will be more than 7 million,” he added.

As a part of expansion, the old building which housed the airport before the new terminal came into existence would be demolished. “Three parking bays and exapansion of the terminus is planned at the place where old airport building exists,” he said.

Negi said that the work will start in another six months. “In next three years we want to complete facilities like expansion of terminal building and construction of parking bays, the work on parallel taxi track has already started which will be completed in the month of May, 2019,” he added.

“We have issued tender for project management consultant for the expansion of building and construction of parking bays. Once the consultant is appointed, they will be ready within three years,” Negi stated.

The Director said that the facility is facing a  peculiar situation as it is closed for civilian flights between 8.30 am to 12.30 noon during which time Indian Navy is having their flying operations.

“Had it been 24 hours facility like the other airports, then we would not have faced the problem which we are facing now. The current facilities at the airport are large enough to cater for the requirement of the passengers,” he said.