CM says central team to have final say
Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said the government has formally offered land at Farmagudi for the establishment of a permanent campus for Indian Institute of Technology Goa.
Speaking to mediapersons, Sawant said the proposed site is located within the Goa Engineering College (GEC) premises, where IIT Goa is currently functioning from a temporary facility.
He expressed confidence that the location would meet the requirements of the Union Ministry of Education and provide continuity for the institute’s academic activities.
“The state government has identified suitable land at Farmagudi and submitted the proposal to the Centre. We are hopeful that this site will be approved after due inspection,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that the central team is expected to visit the site for evaluation before granting final approval.
“If cleared, the project could significantly boost higher education and research opportunities in the state,” Sawant said.
The move comes after the Centre relaxed earlier norms requiring 10 lakh square metres of land for IIT campuses, enabling smaller states like Goa to propose feasible alternatives.
The Farmagudi site, which is approximately 4.5 lakh sqm, is considered advantageous due to the existing infrastructure and accessibility, reducing the need for extensive new development.
The establishment of a permanent campus for IIT Goa has been delayed over the years due to land constraints, local opposition, and rejection of the proposed sites.
The latest proposal is being viewed as a practical solution that could finally pave the way for a permanent campus.
