MAPUSA
In a strong display of unity, around 300 residents of Tivim village gathered at a gram sabha to oppose the proposed establishment of a private university by the Pune-based MIT group.
The project, set to occupy two lakh square meters of comunidade land, has sparked outrage among locals who fear significant environmental and social consequences.
Describing the project as “ecologically disastrous,” the villagers unanimously rejected the government-backed plan and vowed to take to the streets if necessary to halt its progress.
Concerns were raised over potential environmental damage, as well as the strain on essential resources like water and electricity that could arise once the university is operational.
Several gram sabha members voiced their objections, citing the loss of land for future generations of Goans to build homes. “This project will rob us of space for our children’s housing needs,” said one villager.
Former panchayat member and social worker Robert Colaco highlighted the environmental threat posed by the project.
“The government has planted rain trees in the Cansa hill area as part of a social forestry program. This region is also home to wildlife, including leopards. We are not against educational institutions, but not at the expense of our environment,” Colaco stated.
He further warned of potential contamination of village wells due to sewage from the university, drawing parallels with the coastal villages of Calangute and Anjuna, where unchecked development has led to pollution.
Local resident Mollie D'Silva emphasized the constitutional authority of village panchayats in matters of local development.
“Under Article 243G of the Indian Constitution, panchayats have the right to prepare plans for the economic development of their villages. It is unacceptable for the state to override this jurisdiction,” D'Silva said, stressing that even the Goa Investment Promotion & Facilitation Board could not bypass this authority.
Several gaunkars also expressed their discontent, accusing the managing committee of the comunidade of deceiving them about the project.
Gaunkar Godfrey D’Lima claimed that many members who backed the project were not even permanent residents, but only visited Goa for one day to collect dividends.
“Out of 45 gaunkars who signed the resolution at the extraordinary general body meeting, 35 are from Kanapur and have no stake in the village,” D’Lima alleged.
The meeting also saw accusations of political involvement, with Fisheries Minister and local MLA Nilkant Halarnkar being accused of colluding with the managing committee to push the project forward.
The villagers resolved to continue their opposition, with former AAP leader and Tivim resident Rahul Mhambre calling for readiness to protest publicly, referencing the recent resistance by the people of Melaulim village against an IIT project.
“This government is thick-skinned and won’t back down easily. We must be prepared for protests like those in Melaulim, where villagers faced police brutality but stood firm,” Mhambre urged, receiving overwhelming support from the crowd.
Former sarpanch Premnath Maulingkar concluded, “It is our birth right to fight for our village. We will not allow this project to destroy the beauty and future of Tivim.”
A resident, Nilesh Salgoankar cautioned the State’s intention and urged the panchayat to brace up for legal challenge on the issue.
“The panchayat should appoint a lawyer to defend and safeguard our right to oppose the project come what may,” Salgoankar said.
As tensions rise, the villagers remain steadfast in their determination to block the university project and preserve their land for future generations.
