In about-face, Goa minister now says he’s against IIT-Goa project

Taking a U-turn on the IIT-Goa campus project, state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Tuesday urged the Chief Minister to withdraw the project from his Valpoi Assembly constituency in North Goa in view of public protests.

Rane, who earlier repeatedly insisted on going ahead with the construction of the Indian Institute of Technology-Goa campus at Melaulim village “at any cost”, has now cited “popular sentiments” against the project for his about-turn.

“I have written to CM Pramod Sawant that I do not want an IIT in my constituency. I have taken this decision in the people’s interest… the people’s sentiments are against the IIT,” Rane said in a video message on the social media.