VASCO: Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar stated that Goa may need a third airport in future considering the large influx of tourists in the coastal State.
Dhavalikar was speaking to reporters after addressing grievances and scheme related issues at Cortalim Panchayat in the presence of Cortalim MLA Anton Vas, Cortalim ZP Merciana Vas and others.
Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of ‘Panchayat Chalo Abhiyan’ programme at Cortalim on Friday, Dhavalikar said after liberation, Goa is getting a lot of touristic importance and there is a huge increase in tourists population in the State from liberation Era till date. Considering this, Goa could fall short in the next 10 years to cater to the growing influx of tourists and there could be a demand for the third airport in the touristic State. The third airport could come up in Canacona taluka as well in the future. Currently Goa has two international airports at Dabolim and Mopa, the last being commissioned in December 2022.
According to Dhavalikar, in the past Goa used to areceive less than 25 lakh visitors which had now increased to nearly one crore tourists arrivals.
Referring to the partial demolition of houses falling within the funnel zone at Dabolim, Dhavalikar said that buffer zone will have to be created in areas where there is presence of Indian Navy. He said that structures had to be razed as per the directives of the High Court of Bombay at Goa.