Will Dabolim airport be able to handle an increased passenger load or does Goa need a new airport altogether? While the state insists on the latter, Indian Navy officials, who control Dabolim, say `no'. They feel air traffic at the existing airport can be increased by at least 25 per cent without hampering naval operations. However, they add, for this to happen, state hotel rooms must increase manifold accompanied by infrastructural improvements. In other words, the men in white do not really mind charter flights landing at Dabolim till further notice. The State, it appears, is casting about for new excuses. Only, they don't sound the least bit convincing. Goa's cabinet secretary O C Shrivastava recently admitted to the press that Dabolim airport is under-utilised. He said, the timings of charter flights (which account for much of international tourist traffic here) at Dabolim are inconvenient. The new international airport will be located at Mopa, a sparsely populated areabordering Sindhudurg. While Goan activists are accusing the state of selling out to the big brother across the border.

Party time at Miramar beach

Tourists who throng to Miramar beach in Panaji on sultry, summer evenings are treated to free music concerts, courtesy the Goa Tourism Department. The idea, suggested in April, is to provide up-coming bands exposure while simultaneously treating tourists to a music fest at the beach. A private entertainment company has been assigned the task of short-listing bands from both in and out of the state. Apart from playing the latest tracks from MTV and Channel [V], the bands also showcase their own talent. With a can of chilled beer in hand, games like tambola and housie to choose from, and friends galore, the tourist is treated to a beach party like never before. Bravo!

Feni on the rocks

Goans could find adulterated feni being thrust down their throats, if distilleries, thirsting after profits, resort to `innovative' ways to keep their vats andcoffers overflowing. Unseasonal rains last winter followed by a sudden rise in temperature, saw more than half the cashew crop in Goa and Maharashtra wither away. From a bountiful harvest of 15,000 metric tonnes last year, output fell to less than 8,000 metric tonnes this year. In addition, local distilleries, mainly small scale units which sell the brew to bigger companies for bottling, could pour a host of adulterants into their vats while no one is looking.