AAP urges CM to relocate IIT project from Codar-Bethora: Livelihoods, water and ecology cannot be sacrificed

Goa Khabar : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa stands firmly with the villagers of Codar-Bethora in their opposition to the proposed IIT project on cultivable land. AAP Goa President Adv. Amit Palekar, along with senior party leaders, met the villagers on Saturday and assured them of AAP’s full support in protecting their land, water, and environment.

AAP has made it clear: Goans welcome premier institutions like IIT, but not at the cost of destroying the lives and future of the local communities.

AAP’s Key Concerns

1. Attack on ST Community Livelihoods

Palekar said the government is deliberately targeting cultivable land belonging to Scheduled Tribe (ST) families.

 “First they tried in Sattari, then in Sanguem, and now in Codar. The pattern is clear. Farming and horticulture are the only livelihood of these families. Calling their fertile land barren or rocky is not only false but insulting,” Palekar said.

2. No Basic Facilities for Codar Villagers

He added that Codar lacks even a primary school or an Anganwadi.

“Before talking about IIT, the government should first provide our children with basic facilities like schools. Not at the cost of destroying villagers’ only source of survival,” he stressed.

3. Water Security at Risk

Palekar raised concerns about the Opa water system:

“This land sustains the Opa water system. Even today villagers do not get enough water for farming or drinking. An IIT here will worsen the crisis. The government must answer how they will manage this.”

4. Ecological Damage

He also warned of ecological disaster:

“Codar has a delicate ecosystem where tigers, peacocks, and other wildlife co-exist with humans. Destroying this green cover will displace animals and lead to human-animal conflict.”

Other AAP Leaders Speak Out

Shrikrishna Parab, General Secretary (Organisation):

“Goans have seen how so-called development projects elsewhere failed to give jobs to locals. Codar villagers fear the same. Farming is their only livelihood. They don’t trust the BJP government’s promises anymore.”

Sandesh Teleikar Dessai, AAP Leader:

“Why doesn’t the BJP government consult villagers before bringing projects that affect their lives the most? True governance means participation, not imposition.”

Vinay Velip, AAP Leader:

“The BJP government is falsely calling fertile, cultivable land barren just to push this IIT project. This is nothing but betrayal of the ST community whose survival depends on this land.”

AAP’s Call to Action

AAP urges Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant to immediately relocate the IIT project to a suitable site that does not endanger livelihoods, water sources, and ecology.

“We welcome institutions like IIT. But true development must respect people and the environment. We will stand with Codar villagers in this fight for justice,” Palekar declared.