Locals in Codar and Kasamshel Bethora, including affected tenants, are expressing growing concern over the proposed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus at Codar, fearing the project could encroach on fertile land and render them landless. The protest against the IIT project is gaining support from villagers as well as political leaders from outside the area. However, the lack of a clear stance from the panchayat, Codar Comunidade, and local MLA and WRD Minister Subash Shirodkar has left residents anxious and restless. The 30-day window to submit objections, which ends on September 19, has already seen villagers filing their concerns, but no official response has been received.
“We have been given saplings of cashew and coconut by the government, but where will we plant them if IIT claims our land?” asked Resha Gaude, a senior woman from the village. “Outsiders come and offer support, but when will our Sarpanch and Minister meet us? Every election we vote for them, yet where are they now?” she questioned.
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According to villagers, a total of 36 tenants are recorded on Comunidade land. While locals insist the land is fertile, the Gazette notification describes it as barren and rocky. Priol MLA and Tribal leader Govind Gaude recently inspected the site, confirming its cultivability and assuring support to farmers. Similarly, AAP leader Amit Palyekar and former Shiroda MLA Mahadev Naik have pledged to stand by the villagers to protect cultivable land. Despite these assurances, residents say they have yet to receive any concrete commitments from local authorities or stakeholders. The Government Gazette published last month announced that a 14.63 lakh sq. mt. uncultivated, unused, and rocky plot of land belonging to Codar Comunidade (Survey No. 63/2) has been proposed on a perpetual lease (Aforamento) basis for the establishment of a permanent IIT-Goa campus.
COMUNIDADE, PANCHAYAT MUM ON ISSUE PONDA:
Dilip Gaonkar, President of Codar Comunidade, said no decision has been taken regarding the IIT proposal. “The government proposal is still in its preliminary stage, and the Comunidade members have not yet deliberated on it,” he added. Bethora-Nirankal-Conshem- Codar Sarpanch Madu Khandeparkar said the panchayat has not received any official communication from the government and therefore cannot comment. “I contacted a Comunidade member after hearing villagers’ concerns through media reports, but even he had no proper information on the proposal,” Khandeparkar said. Shiroda MLA and WRD Minister Subash Shirodkar assured villagers he would submit their memorandum to the Chief Minister. However, when asked for his stance on the project, he stated he would meet the villagers and decide on the matter—a response that has done little to ease residents’ worries. Villagers have already conducted several internal meetings and held two public gatherings to voice their opposition to the project. The situation remains tense as locals continue to demand clarity from authorities on the proposed IIT campus and its potential impact on their land and livelihoo
