Mopa airport should be made cargo, airlines hub: Parrikar

The proposed greenfield airport at Mopa village in Goa can be made viable by exploring various commercial options, including making it as an airlines and cargo hub, state Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has said.

The airport project, which would be run by a private party, can be a cargo hub extending the facility to Goa and also neighbouring places like Satara, Ratnagiri (in Maharashtra) and Hubli, Dawangiri and Karwar (in Karnataka), he said.

The state government has acquired land for the airport in Mopa village, located about 40 kms from Panaji in north district bordering Maharashtra.

The environment impact assessment (EIA) of the airport is being conducted before going ahead with the tendering process for the project, Parrikar said.

The airport can also be made as an airlines hub as there would be ample parking available there for the airplanes, he said.

The relief in VAT on aviation turbine fuel to be offered by the state government would attract companies to fly to this facility, he said.

The area around the airport will also be developed with facilities like hotels, which would also generate revenue for the private party bidding for the construction and running of the airport, he said.

The state government is not going to invest anything other than providing land for the project, Parrikar added.