Indian Navy - please return Dabolim to owner

A letter from Mr. Churchill Alemao, MP  to Mr. Balasaheb Patil, MP and Chairman of the Defence Standing Committee

13th September 2004

Dear Chairman,

There have been problems faced by the Airport Authority of India in the civil operations of aircrafts at Dabolim Airport.

The main problem is that the Dabolim Civil Airport has been taken over by the Indian Naval Authority. Very often restrictions are imposed by our Navy on the landing slots of foreign chartered aircrafts carrying foreign tourists.

I would like to emphasise the importance of Goa as number one on the tourist map of India. There are nearly 300 to 400 hotels and resorts from Deluxe, 5-stars to 2-3 stars and almost 6-7 lakhs Goans depend on tourist trade for their livelihood. Revenues from tourist trade benefit directly or indirectly both the Goa State and our country as a whole.

The question of shifting the Naval Base from the Dabolim Airport to Sea Bird
Naval Base, Karwar, has already been taken up separately with the Ministry of Defence, Government of India in the right earnest.

I would request the Committee to deliberate on this issue of national importance and lend their weight to the proposal of shifting the Naval Base from Dabolim Airport so that it functions as a full fledged Civil Airport without any hindrances. The example of Red Fort in Delhi is there to follow in the interest of Tourism.

I am enclosing the following documentary evidence to prove that the Dabolim
Airport is actually a Civil Airport:

1. In 1955 a decree was passed to build an airport for civil aviation.
(Portuguese Government).

2. Document showing that after 'Operation Vijay', the Civilian Airport was taken over by Defence forces only for its maintenance.

3. Documents enlists all airports in India and are classified at Civil, Defence and Private. But Goa (Dabolim Airport) does not figure at all because, conveniently they hid its actual owner so that they could manipulate the Goa Government.

4. Official Gazette of former Colonial Government proves that Dabolim was a
Civilian Airport.

5. For background purpose:- Goa being a very small state, it cannot afford to misuse, waste or part with its land resources. Defence and Central Government agencies occupy the major part of Vasco and Dabolim.

6. Some press cuttings to show why Dabolim Airport should be restored to its
civilian status and the Naval Training enclave should move to the biggest Naval Base at Sea Bird at Karwar. It must be noted that the Defence forces took over the Anjedive Island for expansion of Sea Bird Base without any compensation or benefit for Goa.

I am at your disposal for any further clarification required in this behalf.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

Churchill Alemao
M.P. (Lok Sabha)
Ex-Chief Minister - Goa.

Reproduced courtesy Gaspar Almeida & Carmo Santos of the Goa Welfare Society, Kuwait with expressed permission to reproduce this letter given them by Mr. Churchill Alemao, MP (Lok Sabha)

TGF
October 14, 2004

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