After SC go-ahead, revised Goa airport schedule in offing

The Goa government is working out a revised schedule for the completion of the state's second international airport at Mopa plateau in North Goa, after construction work at the site was halted following a Supreme Court stay, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant told the state legislative assembly on Monday.

Sawant also said, that the existing airport at Dabolim in South Goa, which functions from an Indian Navy base, would continue to operate, even after the commissioning of the Mopa airport.

"The construction work was halted in view of status quo order of the Supreme Court on January 18, 2019. However, Supreme Court vide its (subsequent) order dated January 16, 2020 has lifted the status quo order and allowed the construction to resume," Sawant said in a written reply in response to a question.

The apex court had passed the order directing stoppage of construction work at the airport site, after a petition filed by two green NGOs had alleged illegal felling of trees.

Sawant said, that as per the earlier schedule the first phase of the airport, jointly constructed by GMR Airports and the Goa airport, was scheduled to be commissioned by September 3, 2020, but due to the recent order of the apex court "revised schedule of completion is being worked out".

"Dabolim airport will continue to receive both domestic and international flights as of now," Sawant also said.IANS