Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Jun 30: A day after villagers opposed the proposed permanent campus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Goa at Farmagudi over religious, cultural and environmental concerns, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday assured that not “even an inch” of land around the revered Katamgal Dada shrine would be used for the project.
Addressing the controversy, Sawant questioned the opposition to the prestigious educational institution and appealed to people not to oppose the project without proper reason.
“I don’t understand why the opposition is against the IIT campus at Farmagudi. I also believe in Katamgal Dada. We will not touch even an inch of land or the area in and around the Katamgal Dada shrine. I respect the sentiments of the people, and even I believe in the deity,” he said.
The chief minister said the proposed IIT campus would come up entirely on government-owned land and there was no need for unnecessary concerns.
“People should not unnecessarily oppose IIT just for the sake of it. We are undertaking the project on government land. Someone should not try to instigate people by using their sentiments,” Sawant said.
He said he had personally spoken with Madkai MLA Sudin Dhavalikar, Priol MLA Govind Gaude and several local residents regarding the issue.
“My request to the people is that I will tell Katamgal Dada that we won’t touch his land. It is a good project and people should stop opposing good projects like this without reason,” he added.
The controversy erupted after a large number of villagers gathered at the Katamgal Dada shrine on the Farmagudi plateau on Sunday under the “Save Katamgal” campaign to oppose the proposed IIT campus.
The protesters alleged that survey markers for the project had been placed within the sacred premises of the shrine. They claimed that the project could affect the shrine, damage the traditional mango grove in the area and impact the region’s religious and cultural heritage.
Locals also expressed concerns that fencing and other infrastructure related to the IIT campus could obstruct the traditional route believed to be followed by the Katamgal Dada deity while moving across the plateau.