IIT-Goa to come up at Melaulim: Goa CM Pramod Sawant

The proposal of having IIT Goa Campus in the village is erupting protests in the village with locals stating that it is a biodiversity-rich area.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the state government will go ahead with IIT Goa at Melaulim. The minister further added that the agitators will be convinced stating that those using land for farming can do the same at a different location and the government will be providing them with alternative land for cultivation. However, the decision regarding the shift is yet to be taken. While speaking to the media, the state chief minister added that the government will convince the villagers of Melaulim adding that the government owns 10 lakh sq meters of land in the village and there are no trees there. He pointed out that a decision has not yet been taken on shifting IIT Goa and that it will be constructed in Melaulim. 

Various media reports suggest that the proposal of having IIT Goa Campus in the village is erupting protests in the village with locals stating that it is a biodiversity-rich area. The locals also stated that this is the only area in the village where excellent forest covers exist. The people in the village grow horticultural crops which is the main source of livelihood in the area. The project proposed by the government will post a threat to the livelihood of the people. The Science and Technology Minister - Michael Lobo met with the state chief minister demanding that the campus of IIT Goa be shifted out of Melaulim since the people are against it.

Others also supported the villagers adding that if the villages of Melaulim continue to oppose the project the state government can think of shifting the project to Farmagudi by acquiring open space.

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