Same Louis Berger consultant for MOPA Airport in Goa, people seek probe against both Congress, BJP

Panaji: It is a controversy that has created political firestorm in Goa. The BJP government in Goa has now ordered a probe against the then Digambar Kamat government for allegedly taking bribes from the US firm Louis Berger for a water development project. But the BJP government in Goa now faces heat over for appointing the same company as the lead consultant in Manohar Parrikar's pet project MOPA airport - a second airport in north Goa.

Reacting to this Vijai Sardesai, an Independent legislator of Goa said, "Louis Berger has advised the government of Goa when it was ruled by Congress as well as BJP. Now the MOPA is a contentious issue. It has been objected by many people. Yet this consultancy made a techno feasibility study and got the airport approved."

The feasibility study conducted by Louis Berger was done after a government sponsored study conducted by International Civil Aviation Organisation suggested that there was no need for a second airport.

Details -

- Louis Berger has already been paid Rs 14 crore by the government.

- The company has drawn up the master plan of MOPA airport.

- The firm's brochure on its India projects lists the senior vice president James McClung as the overseer for the Mopa project.

- McClung has admitted to have paid bribe for the water development project.

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said, "I am gathering information on MOPA and sea link project. I am told the same company has been given the contract."

Activists believe that the current probe should not be restricted to the water development project. Father Eremito Rebelo, Convener of Goans for Dabolim Only, said, "There is no doubt that MOPA too should be probed. It is after all the same company."

Local people feels that it is quite evident that both the parties have done business with this American company. But in the wake of the recent revelations made by the company many believe that it becomes even more important for the current probe to be extended to all the other projects handled by this company.