Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji
Panaji, Jun 18: The Goa Cabinet has approved the transfer of five lakh square metres of government land at Farmagudi to the Union Ministry of Education for the construction of the permanent campus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Goa.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the decision marks a major step towards establishing a permanent home for IIT Goa, which has been operating from temporary facilities at the Goa Engineering College (GEC) campus since its inception in 2016.
Sawant said IIT Goa will hand over its existing hostel facilities at the site to GEC, while the state government is also in the process of acquiring additional private land in the area. Part of the newly acquired land will be allocated to GEC to support its future expansion.
According to the Chief Minister, nearly two lakh square metres of land have already been surveyed for acquisition.
Earlier this month, the Union government accepted Goa's proposal to establish the long-awaited IIT campus at Farmagudi after several previously identified locations across the state were dropped due to local opposition.
With the Cabinet's approval, the land will now be formally transferred to the Union Ministry of Education, paving the way for the planning and construction of the permanent campus.
Sawant said the arrangement would benefit both institutions. While IIT Goa will finally have its dedicated campus, GEC will gain additional land and hostel infrastructure.
The Cabinet's decision is expected to bring closure to a long-standing issue concerning IIT Goa's permanent location and accelerate the development of higher education infrastructure in the state.
In another key decision, the Cabinet approved the withdrawal of the Goa Highway and Validation Bill following objections and suggested modifications from the Centre. Sawant said the bill would be reintroduced after incorporating the recommended changes.
The Cabinet also approved the creation of over 70 posts for a Nursing College in South Goa and sanctioned several contractual positions at Goa Medical College and Hospital, including specialist posts such as retina surgeons.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister announced that appointment letters would be handed over to 22 children of freedom fighters under an existing government scheme. The announcement coincides with Goa Revolution Day, observed on June 19 to commemorate the state's freedom movement.