In a surprise move, the Goa government has scrapped its plan to set up an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus at Codar village. Industries Minister Subhash Shirodkar announced the decision, stating that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant did not want to force the project on unwilling locals.
Farmers in Codar had strongly opposed the project, citing threats to their livelihood and the local ecosystem. While Shirodkar admitted the project would have boosted research and development in the region, he said the CM respected the villagers’ concerns.
For now, IIT Goa will continue operating from its temporary campus at Farmagudi, Ponda, where it has been based since 2016. Shirodkar said the government would look for an alternative site for a permanent campus.
