Dabolim airport available for civilian flights for 24 hours: Navy chief

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2009-02-13
PANAJI- Observing that the hotel lobbies from North and South Goa are responsible for the Mopa-Dabolim airport controversy, the Navy chief, Admiral Sureesh Mehta on Thursday said the Indian Navy has already agreed to make available the Dabolim airport for civilian aircraft all 24 hours. “However, the airport does not receive those many commercial aircraft,” he added.
Informally interacting with the media at the commissioning of Rs 4.15-crore fibreglass sailing yatch, ‘Mhadei’ into the services of the Indian Navy at the Verem naval jetty, Admiral Mehta said that roads and other infrastructure should be improved to make the Dabolim airport passenger-friendly.
“The Dabolim airport would be open for commercial flights, even after the completion of Mopa airport,” he assured.
Indian Navy is for nation and for the state of Goa too,” Admiral Mehta said, adding that the Indian Navy has done whatever humanely possible for Goa and perhaps given more than what is required. The Navy has given all support needed for the expansion of the Dabolim airport in Goa,” he pointed out.
The Indian Navy, which has its base at Dabolim, has been maintaining the lone state airport since Goa’s Liberation in 1961.
Stating that coastal police are in-charge of protecting waters very close to the country’s coastline, followed by the Coast Guards and the Indian Navy taking over this responsibility in deep waters, Admiral Mehta informed that efforts are on to strengthen the coastal police in various states of the nation.
Replying to a question as regards expansion plans of the Indian Navy, the chief of naval staff said, “It is the procedural part and not planning or availability of funds, which is the major problem in the naval expansion.” The Navy has intended plan up to 2022 to stabilise 60-odd ships and 300 aircraft,” he maintained.
It was also informed that the laying of keel for India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, originally named Air Defence Ship would take place at the Cochin Shipyard on February 28, 2009. The project is expected to cost Rs 2,000-odd crore.
Earlier, Mr Ratnakar Dandekar, who constructed ‘Mhadei’ in his workshop, at the Diwar Island handed over the sailing yatch to Admiral Mehta. Cdr Dilip Donde will soon undertake a solo circumnavigation in the yatch.
Admiral Mehta, speaking during the ceremony said the Indian Navy, of late is supporting adventure sports and the sailing yatch would go a long way in encouraging wider participation of junior naval officers in such sports.
“We will soon go ahead with procurement of another similar boat for ocean sailing in a bigger way,” he added.