MAPUSA
Tivim villagers gathered in large numbers on Sunday to voice strong opposition to the establishment of a private university in their village, citing threat to environment and livelihood.
The public meeting, held at the Tivim panchayat hall, saw residents vowing to take legal action and stage protests against the project, which they believe threatens the village's environment.
Several prominent local leaders, including activist Swapnesh Sherlekar, former MLA Kiran Kandolkar, former Zilla Panchayat member Premnath Maulingkar, ex-panchayat member Robert Colaco and Godfrey D'Lima, addressed the gathering.
They expressed unanimous disapproval of the university project, stressing that the development would harm the village’s natural beauty and disrupt the lives of its residents.
Activist Swapnesh Sherlekar acknowledged the villagers’ determination to oppose the project but pointed out the challenges of scrapping an already approved plan.
"We will have to fight this legally. The project has been greenlit by the Investment Promotion Board for investment purposes,” Sherlekar said.
He referenced a similar situation involving a five-star hotel near the Assonora water treatment plant, where locals were initially resistant.
Sherlekar criticized the growing commercialization of education in Goa, warning that it was leading to a decline in educational quality.
Former MLA Kiran Kandolkar also took aim at Tivim’s elected representatives, accusing them of staying silent on the issue.
He pointed out that while politicians in South Goa openly opposed the Sunburn festival, Tivim's MLA had not stood with locals against the private university.
“The proposal for this university has existed since 2020, but now the government wants to push the project forward without informing the local community,” Kandolkar said.
He added that the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board had already given its approval, bypassing local authorities, and warned of potential land loss due to road widening if the project proceeds.
Former ZP member Premnath Maulingkar stressed the need to protect Tivim’s hills and nature for future generations, warning that the livelihood of the local Dhangar community would be at risk if the university is built.
Local resident Robert Colaco expressed support for educational institutions but firmly opposed the project’s location on a village hill. “We have support from Aldona MLA Adv Carlos Ferreira, who has promised to help us approach the court against the project,” Colaco said.
The villagers are prepared to continue their fight against the private university, with growing support from regional leaders and legal avenues being explored.
