NEW DELHI, DEC 5: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Goa government have locked horns over the issue of a second international airport for the state. While the AAI is questioning the need for a second airport at Goa, the state is keen on constructing an airport with private investment - an NRI group has evinced keen interest in the project.The two sides have also not been able to agree upon a suitable site for the project. While the state government is keen on locating the airport at Mopa, just north of Panjim, the AAI had in a feasibility report submitted last year, identified Kuital (to the south of Panjim) as the most suitable location.AAI sources said the Goa government had rejected the AAI proposal outright, preferring instead to go by the feasibility report prepared by a private agency - Bhagawat International - of its choice.The authority has now appointed a second sub-committee to look into the issue and fix a location. The committee comprises representatives from the AAI, civil aviation ministry , the ministry of environment and the navy. AAI sources said the normal procedure was for the state to put up a proposal with a project report. The AAI sub-committee would then evaluate the report, identify the site and then take a decision on its equity participation in the project. The AAI has estimated that a second airport would involve an investment of Rs. 1,000 crore.The state government has been dealing directly with the private parties interested in putting up the airport, but cannot take decisions independently as aviation is a central subject. The AAI too has to be involved with the project simply because air traffic control for the airport will continue to be its responsibility.AAI officials said a team was currently in Goa to examine both locations and take a decision. The officials cited `technical' difficulties in choosing Mopa, the choice of the state government, but refused to comment on what the problems were.The existing airport at Goa is operated by the Navy and has limited capacity besides being poorly equipped to handle international traffic. The state government has been demanding an airport of international standards to cater to international traffic and wants to develop an airport like the Mumbai and Delhi airports. The Navy also restricts landing for civilian domestic and international airports between 6 am and 11 am so that its training operations are not affected.The other objection of the AAI arises from the fact that it does not want to have a privately-held airport so close to the defence enclave. Besides, there is concern that once the second airport comes up the revenues of the existing airport will suffer, affecting the expansion and modernisation plan of the Navy for the airport.
