New Delhi: PM has laid a strong emphasis on boosting connectivity in the country, reflected through the significant focus of the government on the development of airports across the country. In line with this, PM will inaugurate the Mopa International Airport, Goa on 11th December.
Mopa International Airport, Goa
The foundation stone of the airport was also laid by the Prime Minister in November 2016. This will be the second airport in Goa, the first one being located at Dabolim. Mopa airport offers several upgrades over Dabolim airport.
The current passenger handling capacity of Dabolim airport is 8.5 MPPA (million passengers per annum). With Mopa airport coming into operation, the total passenger handling capacity will become around 13 MPPA. Also, taking into account the full expansion capacity, the airports in Goa have the potential to increase from around 10.5 to 43.5 MPPA.
The Dabolim airport offers direct connections with 15 domestic and 6 international locations. Through Mopa airport, these will increase to 35 domestic and 18 international locations. Also, while there was no night parking facility at Dabolim airport, Mopa airport has provision for a night parking facility as well. Moreover, while there was no cargo terminal at Dabolim, the Mopa airport will have a facility with a handling capacity of 25,000 MT.
Doubling the number of airports in just eight years
The number of operational airports in the country has almost doubled from 74 to over 140 since 2014. The government plans to develop and operationalise 220 airports in the next 5 years.
Prime Minister has led this initiative from the front, inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of various airports. Below is a list of a few such instances:
● In Nov 2022, PM inaugurated greenfield airport ‘Donyi Polo Airport, Itanagar’ in Arunachal Pradesh
● In July 2022, PM inaugurated Deoghar Airport, which provides direct air connectivity to Baba Baidyanath Dham
● In Nov 2021, PM laid the foundation stone of the Noida International Airport in Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh
● In Oct 2021, PM inaugurated Kushinagar International Airport where he said “Kushinagar International Airport is a tribute to the devotion of Buddhist society around the world”