In 2014 the Centre had allotted an IIT for Goa and since 2016 it has been housed in the campus of Goa Engineering College, Farmagudi.
The IIT has been three times unlucky for not being able to find a suitable piece of land. In 2016, there were oppositions by people at Loliem (Canacona), in 2018 Cotarlim (Sanguem) was identified but was dropped and later shifted to Shel Melauli (Sattari) where in January 2021 the people revolted.
In May 2021 the government wanted the revenue department to transfer 14 lakh sq m in Tuem. It has come to light from the Pernem mamlatdar that there is no such tract of land owned by the revenue department!
Interestingly, in Tuem, acres of land have been identified and a proposal is in the pipeline to have an entertainment park. Recently, 5.97 lakh sqm was also identified for the greenfield electronics manufacturing (EMC).
Perhaps the 7 years jinx for the prestigious IIT could be broken if the lands identified for EP and EMC could be either singly or jointly be allotted to it.
The policy makers need think of the priorities of Goa i.e., either provide high standards of education to the students or flood the state with tourists.
