With commercial operations for the second airport in Goa set to start on January 5, 2023, the Union cabinet has given an ex-post facto approval for naming of the new airport in Goa’s Mopa after its former chief minister Manohar Parrikar.
(The Latin expression Ex-post facto approval stands for a decision made after the fact.)
In recognition of his contribution in building up modern Goa, the Mopa airport will now formally be known as the Manohar International Airport. Late Parrikar had served four tenure as the Goa chief minister. He was the defence minister in the central government.
“To fulfil the cherished aspirations of the people of the state of Goa, the chief minister of Goa conveyed unanimous decision of the Cabinet of State Government of Goa to name the greenfield international airport, Mopa, Goa as the Manohar International Airport – Mopa, Goa,” the Cabinet said in a statement issued on January 4, 2023.
Meanwhile, the Manohar International Airport will start commercial flight operations on January 5, 2023. On the first day of operations, 12 flights are expected to land and take off from different cities in India. These include 3 from Delhi, 2 each from Bangalore and Hyderabad and one each from Chennai, Pune, Jaipur and Mumbai.
The Mopa airport in north Goa is the second airport here─ the state already has an existing airport at Dabolim. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport on December 11, 2022. The foundation stone of the said airport was laid by Modi in November 2016.
Built at a cost of around Rs 2,870 crore, the Manohar Airport will serve about 4.4 million passengers a year. To be developed in stages, the airport will be catering to domestic and international passengers alongside offering freight services.
Also read about Noida’s upcoming airport in Jewar
An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal, Sunita Mishra brings over 16 years of expertise to the fields of legal matters, financial insights, and property market trends. Recognised for her ability to elucidate complex topics, her articles serve as a go-to resource for home buyers navigating intricate subjects. Through her extensive career, she has been associated with esteemed organisations like the Financial Express, Hindustan Times, Network18, All India Radio, and Business Standard.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Sunita holds an MA degree in Sanskrit, with a specialisation in Indian Philosophy, from Delhi University. Outside of her work schedule, she likes to unwind by practising Yoga, and pursues her passion for travel.
[email protected]