Manohar International Airport(MOPA): New Era for North Goa Aviation Hub

The newly built Mopa Airport is expected to assist Goa’s tourism economy. This contemporary facility will improve passenger capacity while decreasing congestion, making it simpler for tourists to travel. The airport’s construction began in November 2016, with Narendra Modi laying the foundation stone. On December 11th, 2022, the Prime Minister dedicated the first phase of the airport, and commercial operations began in January 2023, welcoming visitors from all over the world. The airport received its name in honor of the late Manohar Parrikar, the former Chief Minister of the state and the Defense Minister of the country. This greenfield project is located in Pernem taluka, North Goa, in Mopa.

GGIAL, the firm in charge of building Mopa Airport, has acquired a Rs. 2475 crore loan facility from Aditya Birla Finance, JP Morgan, ICICI Bank, Tata Cleantech Capital, and India Infrastructure Finance firm Ltd (IIFCL). The funds will refinance existing debt and cover ongoing capital expenditures. GGIAL, a special-purpose institution, has the responsibility of designing, constructing, and operating a new airport in Goa. The Manohar International Airport Project will adopt a public-private partnership approach.

Contributors	Amount
ICICI Bank	Rs.600 Crore
India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd	Rs.500 Crore
JP Morgan Securities	Rs.400 Crore
JP Morgan Securities Asia	Rs.3750 Crore
Aditya Birla Capital	Rs.300 Crore
Tata Cleantech	Rs.300 Crore

Also Read: AP Tourism

Details of Mopa Airport Goa:

• Dabolim International Airport in the south and Mopa International Airport in the north serve Goa. GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL) oversaw the building of Mopa Airport. The new airport aims to ease the burden on Dabolim International Airport, which presently collaborates with the Indian Navy and functions under commercial constraints. Congestion at Dabolim International Airport is a typical issue during peak hours.

• Mopa Airport was created in four phases utilizing the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) methodology. The first phase is complete, with a passenger capacity of 4.4 million per year. The second phase will raise passenger capacity to 5.8 million, with the third phase aiming to handle 9.4 million people. Throughout these phases, the terminal, commercial and cargo aprons, taxiways, and aviation facilities will be constantly extended.

• By 2045, the completion of the fourth and final phase will grant Mopa Airport the capacity to accommodate up to 13.1 million passengers per year. This gradual and staged strategy guarantees that the airport’s infrastructure keeps up with the expanding needs of air travel, offering customers improved services and convenience over time.

• This greenfield project is based on the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, with GGIAL holding the rights to operate the airport for 40 years, with an option to extend for another 20 years. Megawide Construction Corporation of the Philippines developed the airport’s passenger terminal, cargo facilities, air traffic control (ATC), and ancillary structures.

Goa’s Mopa Airport: Airside Facilities

• Mopa Airport features a single terminal structure that is 700,000 square feet in size.
• During peak hours, the terminal can handle over 1,000 arriving and outgoing passengers per hour.
• The airport’s runway, designated as 09/27, measures 3,750 meters in length and 60 meters in width, making it suitable for large aircraft.
• There are two rapid departure routes linked to taxiways, each 3,750 m long and 25 m wide.
• The first phase of airport development comprises the building of a 114,000-square-metre parking apron for commercial aircraft and remote aircraft stands, aircraft repair technical kits, and service lanes.
• The airport includes a cargo apron for freighter flights, with ramp trucks assisting in efficient cargo offloading.
• To guarantee safe and well-organized operations, an air traffic control tower has been erected near the cargo area.
• In the future, the airport administration intends to build two hangars totaling 2,500 square meters to suit general aviation needs.

Mopa Airport Goa: How to Reach?

• Mopa Airport is located in the North Goa taluka of Pernem. It is easily accessible by NH166S, a six-lane road that links to NH-66 (formerly NH-17) near Dhargalim village via a trumpet intersection. To boost connectivity, a six-lane toll plaza is also planned.

• You have several alternatives for getting to Mopa Airport from Goa. You have the option of traveling by vehicle or bus. If you prefer a private car or cab, you can hire one or rent a car to get directly to Mopa Airport. The airport is reachable via the NH-66 and NH-166S highways.

• To reach Mopa Airport, you can also use an electric bus provided by the Kadambara Transport Corporation Limited (KTC). The KTC runs daily bus services from Mopa Airport to renowned Goa locations such as Margao, Sinquerim, Calangute, Mapusa, and Panaji.

• If you want to go by train, Pernem railway station is approximately 11.7 kilometers from Mopa Airport. From there, you may take a cab or a bus to the airport.

Mopa Airport in Goa: Future Plans

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is constructing a six-lane elevated corridor at Porvorim to enhance access to the recently built Mopa Airport. The 5.15-kilometer-long corridor would cost around Rs 641.46 crore. The elevated corridor will connect Sangolda Junction to the Majestic Hotel on NH-66, improving access to the airport.

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