New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Mopa International Airport today. The airport is named after Defense Minister and late BJP leader Manohar Parrikar. On this occasion, Prime Minister Modi said that tourism will definitely increase from this airport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of this airport in 2016 and it has cost Rs 2,870 crore. On the occasion of its inauguration, he said that the tourism of Goa will increase after the construction of Mopa airport. Manohar International Airport reflects the government’s concern for the country’s infrastructure.
He said that the presence of 2 airports has increased the potential of Goa as a cargo hub. Mopa International Airport is located in the north of Goa and is 35 km away from Panaji, the capital of Goa. In March 2000, the central government gave permission to the Goa state government to construct a greenfield airport at Mopa village. In the first phase, the annual capacity of the airport is about 44 lakh passengers, while after the completion of the project, its total capacity will be 1 crore passengers per annum.
A solar power plant has been installed in this airport. Mopa Airport has many facilities as compared to Dabolim Airport. There was no parking facility at Dabolim Airport at night. Mopa Airport has night parking facilities While Dabolim Airport has no cargo terminal. Mopa Airport will have a cargo facility with a handling capacity of 25,000 MT.