In a state as small as Goa, contradictions are often loud, clear, and baffling. One of the most glaring examples of this is the fate of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Goa – a project that has been in limbo for over eight years, not because of lack of funds, expertise, or vision, but simply because Goa, for all its promises and posturing, cannot seem to find it a home.
Yes, you read that right.
A state that has allowed hills to be flattened in Reis Magos for high-end mega projects, earmarked large plots of communidade land in Thivim for private universities, and greenlit a Film City in the lush Canacona belt, continues to struggle with one basic task: allocating land for a world-class educational institution that could change the academic and technological landscape of the region.
When the Centre first announced IIT Goa in 2016, the excitement was palpable. An IIT in Goa meant a leap forward—not just in terms of education, but in research, innovation, and employment. It meant that Goa, long known only for beaches and tourism, could become a hub of intellectual and technological progress.
But since then, the IIT project has become a tragicomedy of errors and resistance. Villagers in Loliem (Canacona) opposed the project. Melauli in Sattari, where protests turned intense, and the state was forced to withdraw.
After that, suggestions floated for alternate sites, but none saw any real movement. Every time a site is proposed, opposition follows. And each time, the government backtracks.
What does that say about our priorities?
The irony is too stark to ignore. When it comes to carving out land for private builders or big-ticket commercial projects, the government and its machinery move with lightning speed. There is no hesitation in issuing permissions, clearing environmental hurdles, or justifying the ‘public interest’.
But when it comes to something like the IIT, suddenly everyone becomes cautious. Environmental sensitivity, tribal rights, land ownership, and ‘people’s voice’ are remembered. While these are important concerns, why are they selectively applied?
If the government can convince stakeholders about the ‘benefits’ of projects like film cities, casinos, and luxury villas, why can’t it convince people about the benefits of an IIT?
Education Isn’t a Luxury
In the global context, IITs are not just institutions—they are brand ambassadors of Indian excellence. Goa, which boasts one of the highest literacy rates in India, should have embraced an IIT as a matter of pride. Yet, we’ve made it look like an unwanted child, shunted from place to place.
This delay isn’t just bureaucratic. It’s cultural and political. A section of the Goan population sees every large project with suspicion—and not without reason. Too many times, people have been betrayed in the name of development. But when suspicion becomes an automatic reflex, even genuinely beneficial projects are blocked.
The CM’s Latest Promise
Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant recently said that land has now been identified for IIT Goa. But we’ve heard this before. Until the foundation stone is laid and construction begins, such statements will be taken with a pinch of salt.
The IIT campus currently functions from a transit facility in Farmagudi—hardly fitting for a national institute of this stature. Students and faculty deserve better. Goa deserves better.
The Road Ahead
It’s time for the state to take a firm, well-informed, and transparent stand. If the IIT is to come up in Goa, the process must be above board and participatory. But it must also be decisive. Endless delays, political point-scoring, and social media grandstanding will only damage Goa’s reputation further.
Let us be clear: saying no to the IIT is not a victory for activism—it’s a defeat for our youth, our economy, and our future.
Do we want Goa to remain a tourist retreat and real estate playground? Or do we want it to be a centre of learning, innovation, and growth?
The choice is ours—and time is running out.
