Digital Goa, Mar 5 – Mormugao Municipal Council has given Indian Navy time till March 30 to come up with solution regarding permissions for constructions in areas around the Dabolim Airport. MMC organised a meeting of all stakeholders today. Along with the Navy and MMC Councilors the meeting was attended by builders, citizens and other stakeholders. Navy has been tightening noose around constructions in the funnel zone of the airport in the recent past. Several constructions have been demolished while several others have been issued demolition notices. Navy restricts permissions to new constructions citing Ministry of Defence guidelines, informed stakeholders. Pointing out that during the period 2012 to 2020 guidelines were not enforced by the Navy, they informed that the guidelines can be sidelined in case other Acts such as Aircraft Act are in force and are complied with. Stakeholders urged the Goa govt to take a firm stand in the matter and issue directives to the local planning authority to give permissions in cases where navy does not show that the project proponent is in violation of Aircraft Act and other prevailing Acts. MMC Chairperson Girish Borkar raised the issue of non payment of service tax by the Navy. “Navy accepts it is their fault but implementation does not happen. Somewhere pressure is lacking from State govt,” opined councilors. Navy on its part said they have taken note of all the points in the meeting and soon take necessary decisions.
