PANJIM: Inspection of the identified site for setting up an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in the State will finally take place with the site inspection committee of the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) arriving in the State on Wednesday.
Sources confirmed that the officials will inspect the site at Loliem, Canacona, as this has been highly recommended by the State government, even as it is still examining the feasibility of two other properties in the same taluka.
“The officials are arriving tomorrow (Wednesday) to inspect the Loliem site. The officials of the Directorate of Technical Education will assist the team,” a senior official told Herald.
The State panel had earlier conducted a preliminary inspection of the three sites and placed the Loliem site on top of the list. The final decision on the site, however, lies with the Centre which will be taken after the inspection. “The centre-appointed committee will submit its report to the MHRD, based on which a final decision will be announced,” the official said adding that the State is waiting to start the course in the coming academic year.
The State was refused permission to admit the first batch of IIT students from a temporary campus at Goa Engineering College at Farmagudi this academic year after it failed to identify a permanent site.
The first site proposed at Dhargal in Pernem was rejected as it did not meet the required minimum area. The ministry had intimated the Laxmikant Parsekar-government that permission to start the new IIT will not be granted until adequate land is identified.
The government subsequently identified two other properties at Betki-Khandola and Betul, and later expanded its search to Canacona. MHRD wants 500 acres of dispute-free land but the State is reportedly unable to meet the requirement. However, some of these sites shortlisted are close to 500 acres.
