Mopa Airport will be a key to employment: Suresh Prabhu

Panaji, April 16: Goa to soon have a second airport that is Mopa airport. “The upcoming greenfield airport at Goa's Mopa could be used for large cargo traffic and will bring prosperity to the region,” says Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu.

He was on a day-long visit to Goa, to inspect the ongoing works at Mopa village, located nearly 45 km from Panaji, in North Goa district.

"This airport will be responsible for the growth of the state in various sectors as this project will generate a lot of employment for people of Goa.

"Locals will get jobs on priority. There is need to initiate skill development programmes for the local youth in the aviation sector," Prabhu said, adding that large-scale handling of air cargo at the upcoming airport would help "generate revenue for the state".

"Tourists coming in would mean the creation of many jobs in the state. Mopa airport has the potential to be an international aviation hub in south India because the entire west coast of India is serviced from here," Prabhu said.

He informed that 234 acres of land allotted for commercial exploitation around the airport should be developed into an entertainment zone.

Goa already has one operational airport which functions out of an Indian Naval air base in Dabolim in South Goa district.