PM Modi to launch Mopa International Airport in Goa: 5 things to know

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate Mopa International Airport in Goa, six years after he laid its foundation stone. Built at a cost of around ₹2,870 crores, the airport is expected to cater around 4.4 million passengers every year during its initial phase and can be later expanded to 33 million passengers per annum.

“The airport will boost socio-economic development of the State and serve the needs of the tourism industry. It has the potential of serving as a key logistics hub, directly connecting many domestic and international destinations,” a government release said.

The prime minister will inaugurate the airport at around 5.15pm after addressing the valedictory function of 9th World Ayurveda Congress in Goa.

All you need to know about Mopa International Airport:

Mopa International Airport has been developed on the theme of sustainable infrastructure and has facilities like solar power plant, green buildings, LED lights on the runway, rain water harvesting, state of the art sewage treatment plant with recycling facilities, among others.

The airport has adopted some of the best-in-class technologies like 3-D monolithic precast buildings, StabilRoad, Robomatic Hollow precast walls, 5G compatible IT infrastructure.

Some of the features of the airport include runway capable of handling world’s largest aircraft, 14 parking bays along with night parking facility for aircraft, self-baggage drop facilities, state of the art and independent air navigation infrastructure, among others.

The airport will also provide visitors a feel and experience of Goa. Azulejos tiles, which are native to Goa, has been extensively used at the airport and the food court also recreates the charm of a typical Goan café.

It will also have a designated area for a curated flea market where local artisans and craftsmen will be encouraged to display and market their wares.