Goa:AAI yet to commit on free-of-cost premises at new terminus

PANAJI: The Goa government has demanded allocation of a free-of-cost stall for display of its handicrafts at the new airport terminus building at Dabolim here but the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has refused to commit on it, referring the matter to its Delhi headquarters.

The new airport terminus is expected to be commissioned in September this year.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in his letter to the AAI including the recent communication dated July 11, 2013, had asked for a 13.8 square metre space within the new terminus at Dabolim to be allotted to state-run Goa Handicraft Rural Small Scale Industrial Development Corporation (GHRSSIDC).

On which, Airport Director M Suresh said that the allocation of any premises free of cost to the state government is a policy decision and hence it has been referred to New Delhi for the suggestions.

He said that AAI will have to take a policy decision regarding allotting stalls for various agencies displaying handicrafts in the newly built terminal.

Goa government has given one lakh square metre of land free of cost for expansion of the airport which includes construction of new terminus.

"State government has taken various initiatives to resolve the issues of Goa airport concerning its expansion and large tracts of land have been acquired and handed over to the purpose, free of cost," Parrikar's letter read.

"It is therefore expected that the AAI may allot the space to GHRSSIDC rent free," it said.

The Chief Minister said that GHRSSIDC emporia at the old airport terminus has been put up with the special emphasis on popularising the Goan handicrafts amongst Indians as well as foreign tourists from all over the world since 1980s.