Digital Goa, Sept 28 – The Goa government has decided to scrap Codar-Ponda as the proposed permanent site for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) following strong public opposition from local residents. The announcement was made by WRD Minister and local MLA Subhash Shirodkar during a press conference held in Panaji this afternoon. Shirodkar stated that after discussing the concerns of the Codar villagers with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the CM agreed not to move forward with the plan, reportedly saying, “We don’t want to impose the project on the people if they are opposed to it.” For now, the IIT will continue to operate from its temporary campus at Farmagudi. Shirodkar also proposed that Farmagudi could be made the permanent campus by acquiring a small amount of additional land in the area. The Codar villagers, primarily from the tribal community, have been opposing the project since its announcement, arguing that their village is agriculturally rich and that many locals depend on farming for their livelihood.
