Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Sep 29: A month after Goa government announced Codar village in Ponda taluka as the site for the permanent campus of IIT Goa, the state has decided to shelve the project following strong opposition from villagers. Codar was the fifth site identified for the IIT campus since its establishment in 2016.
Villagers had accused the government of not consulting them before announcing that 10 lakh sqm of agricultural land would be allocated for the campus. They warned of intensifying protests and turning “aggressive,” similar to clashes at Melauli, a previous proposed site, in January 2021.
Local MLA and Water Resources Minister Subhash Shirodkar, who had initially proposed Codar for the campus, visited the village on Sunday morning to pacify residents and confirmed the project had been scrapped. “I discussed with CM Pramod Sawant, who said if people do not want the project, we will not bulldoze it. Education projects should have local support and cooperation,” Shirodkar said.
The government had earlier considered Loliem, Cotarlim, Rivona, and Melauli as potential sites but had to abandon all due to local resistance. Shirodkar clarified there was no intention to displace villagers, including around 50 households in the tribal hamlet of Kasamshel.
“Some propagated that once nine lakh sqm is given for IIT, the remaining land will be taken over. But five to six lakh sqm of the 14 lakh sqm area is rocky and not cultivated,” he added, addressing concerns raised by locals.
Despite the government’s explanation, villagers continue to demand a special gram sabha to officially register their opposition. Shirodkar acknowledged the benefits IIT could have brought, including research opportunities and community projects for local youth, but said opposition at all five proposed sites reflected a lack of well-rounded thinking.
“The IIT will continue at its temporary campus, but scattered facilities like hostels and labs remain a challenge. Such opposition is detrimental to progress,” he remarked.