Overview
- Goa Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed that Dabolim will stay open for civil flights and that a Union Cabinet decision keeps both Dabolim and Mopa operational.
- Chief Minister Pramod Sawant declared there is no plan to end civil operations at Dabolim, citing a Rs 450 crore flyover and roughly Rs 400 crore in recent upgrades as evidence of ongoing support.
- Opposition parties from Congress, AAP and the Goa Forward Party alleged moves to convert Dabolim to exclusive naval use and warned of statewide protests without documentary clarity from the Centre.
- AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and MLA Venzy Viegas, pledged to mobilise stakeholders for street agitations, calling Dabolim the lifeline of South Goa’s tourism and livelihoods.
- Godinho accused GMR, operator of Mopa’s Manohar International Airport, of lobbying to undermine Dabolim, while stakeholders note the civil enclave handles about 50–60 landings daily and is vital for South Goa’s economy.