Panaji: Goa Governor Dr SS Sidhu on Wednesday said
that the work on upgradation and expansion of Dabolim airport
in the state would be completed by June 2012.
Addressing Republic Day parade here, the Governor said
that the quality of airport infrastructure was critical in
maintaining Goa’s international competitiveness as a tourist
destination.
"Upgradation and expansion of the existing Dabolim
airport is likely to be completed by June 2012," he said.
The work on expansion of the airport has already begun
with Civil Aviation Ministry funding the project.
Sidhu, alongwith Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat,
attended the Republic Day parade here.
The Governor, in his speech, also said the process to
develop a greenfield international airport at Mopa in North
Goa is underway. "Keeping in view the fast growth of civil
aviation... urgency to pursue the construction of
international airport at Mopa cannot be overemphasised," he
said.
Referring to the opposition to expansion of the National
Highway 17, the Governor said that it was necessary to allay
people’s apprehensions.
The Governor also said that "it is high time that wearing
a helmet was made mandatory in the state".
As to the tourism sector, the Governor pointed out that
90 per cent of the tourism in Goa has been `beach-based`.
Therefore, it was important to initiate "diversification of
tourism," he said.
PTI
