PANJIM:In a bid to put an end to the growing opposition to the proposed IIT project at Melauli village in Sattari taluka, the State Cabinet today resolved to drop 45,000 sq mtrs of land, comprising of age-old temple, from the project.
Speaking to reporters post cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said that the cabinet has decided to drop the land from the proposed IIT Goa campus and that a same size plot will be made available for the facility.
“45,000 sq. mts land has been reverted back to the temple and for carrying out religious activities. Another parcel of 45,000 mts land from the same area will be given to the IIT. The project will come up at 10 lakh sq mtrs land,” he said.
“This should help assuage the feelings of the local residents who are protesting,” Sawant said in presence of local MLA and Minister Vishwajit Rane.
The Chief Minister, however, maintained that the entire land originally belongs to the government. “But we are ready to give away the land permanently to the temple and other religious purposes. Let the proposal be moved,” he said requesting Rane to take the initiative.
Sawant urged villagers not to protest anymore and support the project in the State interest.
