Porvorim: Chief minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday told the assembly that by this year end tenders will be issued for the construction of the proposed greenfield airport at Mopa in Pernem taluka.
"It will take one year to get the contractor on board," said Parrikar in his reply to a discussion on the budget on Thursday.
He said it is not his government alone but the Centre that is keen to have the Mopo airport while referring to the 200 crore grant from the 13th finance commission which he claimed the earlier government failed to avail.
"Mopa airport is one of the airports expected to be successful," said Parrikar explaining why the Centre is supporting the project.
Invoking the memories of late Matanhy Saldanha, he said had he supported Mopa airport but also wanted Dabolim airport to be kept open. "I had given my word to Matanhy and it is more important to me to keep my word," he said in support of his statement that Dabolim will not be closed.
22/03/13 Times of India
