Defexpo land in Goa not taken permanently: Official

The land in Goa where Defexpo India 2016 will be held from March 28-31 has not been taken permanently, Defence Production Secretary A.K. Gupta said on Wednesday.

The secretary said the decision to hold Defexpo in Goa was taken in 2012 after it was realised that Pragati Maidan in Delhi, where the exhibition was normally held, will not be available in 2016.

"In 2012, we got an indication that the Pragati Maidan will get renovated. A committee was formed; it did a survey and the report said Goa can be the permanent venue," Gupta said.

"We then decided and narrowed down to Goa," he said.

Asked about the protests by locals, the senior officer said: "Whenever you hold any show for the first time, some problems are there." He said barriers have been crossed now.

Gupta said no decision had been taken as yet on holding the exhibition there in future.

"The land belongs to the Goa Industrial Development Corporation. We have taken it temporarily; there is no lease or licence; and all structure will be dismantled after the exhibition," he said.

Asked if Aero India, a biennial air show and aviation exhibition held in Bengaluru, would be shifted to Goa, the secretary said: "The venue for the next show has to be decided. It is not that Bengaluru is out."