Goa Villagers Voice Strong Opposition to IIT Campus on Bhootkhamb Plateau
In the scenic village of Keri, located within Ponda taluka of Goa, local residents are raising their voices against a proposed permanent campus for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). The community argues that establishing the campus on the Bhootkhamb plateau would lead to severe environmental degradation and negatively impact the area's natural water resources.
Environmental and Agricultural Concerns Take Center Stage
The villagers have expressed deep concerns that the project would essentially transform their lush, natural surroundings into a concrete jungle. They emphasize that the government should avoid acquiring cultivable land for such developments, as it threatens both the ecological balance and agricultural livelihoods.
Ramkrishna Jalmi, a prominent villager, highlighted the community's long history of activism. He noted that the villagers have previously engaged in three significant agitations to protect their land from commercial exploitation. These include efforts to prevent mining operations, oppose the Nylon 6,6 project in the early 1990s, and resist special economic zones between 2007 and 2009.
Infrastructure and Alternative Site Questions Raised
Jalmi further pointed out that existing facilities for IIT Goa are already in place at Farmagudi, including a hostel capable of accommodating seven hundred students. This raises questions about the necessity of seeking additional land elsewhere, particularly on the Bhootkhamb plateau, which spans approximately 12.3 lakh square meters.
Swati Kerkar, representing the Keri Citizens’ Action Committee, reinforced these sentiments by describing Keri as a region abundant in natural beauty. She warned that projects like the IIT campus could lead to the destruction of vital natural resources, undermining the area's ecological integrity.
Historical Context of Site Rejections
The controversy over the IIT campus site is not new. In September 2025, the Goa government abandoned the Codar site as a proposed location due to strong opposition from villagers. This decision added to the ongoing challenges faced by IIT Goa, which has been operating from a temporary campus since its establishment in 2016, hindering its expansion plans.
Other sites previously considered for the project include Loliem, Cotarlim, Rivona, and Melaulim, indicating a broader struggle to find a suitable and acceptable location for the permanent campus.
The villagers' steadfast resistance underscores a broader commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable development in Goa. As debates continue, the future of the IIT campus remains uncertain, with local voices advocating for solutions that balance educational advancement with ecological responsibility.
