Construction of Mopa airport nears 75% completion

Goa's state director of civil aviation, Sunil Shanbhogue, told the media that the construction of the Mopa airport in the North Goa region is 75% complete. He told the media that the work on connecting the runway to the passenger terminal is ongoing. Goa International Airport Limited, a special purpose entity of the GMR Group, is building the GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL). The technical building has already been handed over to the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The airport is likely to be handed over to air traffic control (ATC) in the coming week. Recruited personnel have also been dispatched to Uttar Pradesh and Hyderabad for luggage screening, airport rescue, and firefighting training. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the airport on August 15, 2022, the 76th anniversary of India's independence. Due to delays in legal processes, which included judicial stay orders on the construction because of the project's environmental effect, the overall cost of establishing the airport reached Rs 2,615 crore. The project's environmental clearance was affirmed by the Supreme Court on January 16, 2020, enabling construction to resume. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic later slowed the construction process. According to broad lease agreements, Mopa airport, developed under the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) model, and would be managed by GMR through GGIAL for a term of 40 years, extendable by 20 years. Goa, a coastal state in India, is known for its beaches and attracts visitors from all over the world. The Mopa airport's development will significantly boost the number of tourists, unlocking Goa's real-estate potential. North Goa's real estate potential is also enhanced by the airport's location, since it is more developed and offers many recreational alternatives and tourist attractions, resulting in higher rental and resale rates. Image Source Also read: AAI to open new terminal building at Jabalpur airport by March 2023