Panaji – Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated Goa’s second international airport to the nation. Mopa Airport is named after former Goan Chief Minister and late BJP leader Manohar Parrikar. Modi has inaugurated the first phase of the airport built at a cost of Rs 2,870 crore in North Goa.
“This state-of-the-art airport will enhance the connectivity and tourism potential of Goa. Manohar Parrikar International Airport is a testament to the government’s thinking and approach in infrastructure development of the country. Our aim is to make air travel possible in the small towns of the country,” Modi said.
Modi himself laid the foundation stone of the airport in November 2016. It has the capacity to accommodate around 44 lakh passengers annually. Passenger numbers are estimated to be one crore when the airport is fully operational. Another airport in the state, Dabolim has a capacity of 85 lakh. There are no freight facilities here; Mopa has a loading facility.
The buildings were constructed using 3D monolithic prefab technology. The airport also features amenities such as 5G technology, solar power plants, green buildings, renewable wastewater treatment plants, rainwater tanks, and baggage storage. Earlier, experts had thought that Mopa Airport could be modeled after Cheruvalli in Kerala.
English summary: Prime Minister Modi inaugurates new Goa airport named after Manohar Parrikar
