Panaji, May 6 (IANS): The Goa government on Wednesday formally transferred 10 lakh sq metres of land in North Goa for setting up of IIT-Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said.

Sawant also said that the temporary Indian Institute of Technology-Goa campus, which is functioning from the Goa Engineering College grounds currently would be relocated to the new venue within two months.

"10 lakh sq. mts land in Guleli village has been transfered by the Goa government for setting up of the IIT-Goa. The new campus will be ready in two years. It is a big development in the midst of the Covid-19 battle," Sawant said on Wednesday.

Ever since an IIT was allotted to Goa by the central government in 2014, the institute has been functioning from a temporary campus shared by the Goa Engineering College in Farmagudi village in South Goa.

Two sites previously identified by the state government, in Canacona and Sanguem sub districts, for setting up of a permanent campus for IIT were scrapped in face of protests from local residents and after pressure from the opposition which had alleged a land scam in shortlisting of sites for the top technology institute.