NT Reporter
Panaji
Goan industry bodies have welcomed the government’s decision to finally allot land for the Goa campus of IIT at Farmagudi
in Ponda.
Industry associations, including the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Goa State Industries Association (GSIA), Madkai Industrial Estate Association (MIEA), and Kundaim Industrial Estate Association (KIEA), said the move brings closure to the institute’s nearly decade-long search for a permanent site.
They urged the government to fast-track the remaining approvals, inspections, and construction processes to ensure that students and faculty can move from temporary facilities to the permanent campus at the earliest.
IIT Goa has been operated out of temporary facilities at GEC since 2016. Industry bodies, highlighting the benefits of the selected site, said that it will
avoid fresh land conflict as there are no environmental and land-acquisition disputes that stalled earlier proposed sites.
A fully established IIT, with permanent research labs and expanded intake, will strengthen the supply of engineering talent to the state, said the
four bodies which expect the top tier institute to benefit local businesses and spur ancillary economic activity such as housing, services, and vendor opportunities.
“Educational institutes, unlike permanent settlements, do not alter the demographic profile of the area. Students reside in the region only for the duration of their course and move on thereafter. So concerns over permanent demographic change are unfounded,” said the industry bodies, adding that a permanent IIT campus will reinforce Goa’s standing among
other states.
“A well-resourced, permanent campus means stronger research collaboration and a steady pipeline of skilled engineers for our industries,” said GCCI president Pratima Dhond.
While GSIA president Pradip Da Costa pointed out, “Locating the institute at Farmagudi, on land already within the GEC campus, sidesteps the disputes that have repeatedly derailed this project and lets the institute finally plan for the long term.”
Madkai Industrial Estate Association president Sohan Kelekar, said, “Proximity for an industrial estate to a permanent IIT campus opens the door to real collaboration- from student projects to technology adoption on our shop floors. We fully support the government’s move and hope the remaining formalities are completed swiftly.”
Kundaim Industrial Estate president Sandesh Dhareshwar said that he
expects the industrial estate to gain from the presence
of an IIT nearby through easier access to interns, research support, and a skilled workforce.
