With an objective to reduce excess traffic at the existing international airport in Goa, the state had initiated the construction of a new site in Mopa, Pernem. The governor of the coastal state announced on Monday that the upcoming Mopa greenfield airport in North Goa is expected to be commissioned for usage by August 2022. While the Dabolim Airport witnessed severe airside congestion, the new airport would accelerate the growth of air-traffic in Goa.
Aiport linked to NH-66 via the Expressway
“I am happy to say that the construction work of Mopa Airport Project is in full swing and it is expected to be completed and commissioned in August 2022,” said the governor while addressing the inaugural meeting of the winter session of Goa’s state legislative assembly. He added that the Union Ministry of Road, Transport & Highways has given its approval for linking the airport to National Highway-66 via the expressway.
It was expected that the first phase of the airport, being build at the top of the Mopa plateau would be commissioned by September 3, 2020 but the plan could not be materialised. The project got delayed due to environment-related petitions filed by activists in the Supreme Court over the alleged cutting of trees at the airport construction site.
A joint venture of GMR Airports and the Goa government
The latest airport in Goa is being constructed through a joint project of GMR Airports and the Goa government. It is anticipated that the first phase of the airport would facilitate 4.5 million passengers. When the fourth phase of the project would be completed, the airport is supposed to have the capacity of handling a total of 13 million air-travelers.
