Daijiworld Media Network- Panaji
Panaji, Apr 4: In a major educational infrastructure boost, the Goa government is all set to acquire 2 lakh square metres of Goa University land at the Taleigao plateau to construct four prominent colleges—Goa College of Pharmacy, Goa College of Architecture, Goa College of Music, and Goa College of Art.
The ambitious project, which is estimated to cost over Rs 200 crore, aims to provide state-of-the-art infrastructure with a focus on the next 50 years. The decision comes following a meeting between Goa Governor and Chancellor of Goa University P S Sreedharan Pillai and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, where the governor assured that the land will be transferred to the state government.
Speaking to media persons, Chief Minister Sawant confirmed, “The governor has assured us that 2 lakh square metres of Goa University land will be transferred to the state government for the construction of the four colleges.”
Sawant added that the designs for most of the colleges have already been finalized, with tenders for contractor appointments expected to be floated soon. The new campus will include common facilities such as a ground, convention centre, and hostel.
The Goa College of Architecture currently functions from rented premises, while the Goa College of Pharmacy is housed in congested facilities with its hostel located at Altinho. The proposed relocation of these colleges is expected to help decongest the capital city of Panaji.
“Once all four colleges are shifted from Panaji, it would help to decongest the capital city,” Sawant said, emphasizing the broader urban planning benefits of the project. Construction work for the colleges is scheduled to begin within the next one and a half months.
Additionally, the Chief Minister highlighted that the government had allocated Rs 74.2 cr for the Directorate of Education to improve basic facilities in schools across Goa. He also announced a scheme to replace the aging Balrath buses and made internships compulsory for college students to acquire graduate degrees.
Sawant further revealed plans to establish a mega educational complex in and around Panaji, featuring new buildings for the four colleges.