Real Estate Boom Near Mopa Airport Raises Safety Concerns
The rapid and unregulated real estate development around the Mopa airport in North Goa is raising red flags about aviation safety and the future of the greenfield project.
Real EstateMopa AirportAviation SafetyFunnel ZoneConstruction BoomReal EstateJun 21, 2025
Since its inauguration in January 2023, the airport has witnessed a construction boom in the surrounding Pernem taluka, driven largely by rising demand for hotels, holiday homes, and commercial establishments. The surge, industry experts warn, threatens to undermine the very safety and expansion advantages that were built into the airport’s original design.
“Greenfield airports are meant to provide a clean slate, a chance to avoid the mistakes of older urban airports hemmed in by haphazard growth,” said a senior official involved in aviation planning. “But unless strict zoning and land-use laws are enforced, we risk repeating history – and eroding critical safety margins like the air funnel zone,” he added.
The “funnel zone” is the critical airspace around runway approaches and departures that must remain clear of high-rises or obstructions to ensure safe aircraft landings and take-offs. The Air India crash at Ahmedabad earlier this month has heightened concerns, prompting renewed scrutiny of air corridors and aviation safety protocols across the country.
However, officials from GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL), which operates the Mopa airport, have downplayed any immediate threat. “We have a 3.75-kilometre-long runway and clear space along the funnel zone,” said a GMR spokesperson. “Like most international airports, the funnel zones here are well protected. Moreover, the government is in the process of finalising regulations to restrict vertical growth in these sensitive zones,” he added.
Reinforcing their confidence in the airport’s layout, the spokesman described Mopa as a “tabled airport” – built atop a plateau and surrounded by hilly terrain. “Given the topography, it’s unlikely that high-rises or large-scale developments will crop up along the slopes,” the spokesman argued. Yet, the spokesman acknowledged a variable that remains beyond human control: the weather. “Yes, visibility could be affected at times due to fog, especially during certain seasons. But this is a standard issue faced by airports across the world and is managed operationally,” he stated.
Airport planners and environmental observers, however, caution that it’s not just visibility or hills that matter. “Even structures that aren’t directly in the funnel can impact aviation if they interfere with radio signals or wildlife patterns,” an aviation consultant said. “That’s why a comprehensive no-construction buffer – not just vertical limits – is essential,” he added.
Meanwhile, the airport has ambitious expansion plans, including new runways, taxiways, terminals, and proposals for a hotel and medical tourism hospital, aiming to develop an integrated airport city. But all of this hinges on the delicate balance between growth and safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a greenfield airport?
A greenfield airport is a new airport built on a previously undeveloped site, designed to avoid the issues of older, urban airports that are often constrained by existing development.
What is the funnel zone?
The funnel zone is the critical airspace around runway approaches and departures that must remain clear of high-rises or obstructions to ensure safe aircraft landings and take-offs.
Why is the real estate boom near Mopa airport concerning?
The real estate boom near Mopa airport is concerning because rapid and unregulated development could undermine the safety and expansion advantages of the airport, potentially leading to safety issues and operational challenges.
What measures are being taken to protect the funnel zone?
GMR Goa International Airport Limited (GGIAL) is working with the government to finalize regulations that restrict vertical growth in the sensitive funnel zones around the airport to ensure safety.
What are the expansion plans for Mopa airport?
Mopa airport has ambitious expansion plans, including new runways, taxiways, terminals, and proposals for a hotel and medical tourism hospital, aiming to develop an integrated airport city.
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