Karnataka, home to India's Silicon Valley of Bengaluru, cannot wait to get its IIT. However, there's fierce competition between towns to host the premier engineering institute.
In March, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley sanctioned an IIT for the state. A team of experts including IIT directors and representatives of the centre then inspected three towns to pick a winner.
Dharward in the North was picked because of infrastructure and other facilities available - like an existing institute with a building big enough for 750 students that could serve as a temporary campus and allow classes to start next year. Sources in the Human Resources Development Ministry, which handles colleges and universities, confirm that despite last-minute lobbying for another town, Dharwad will be home to IIT.
The town is also on the list of nearly 100 hotspots picked for the national Smart Cities makeover - where towns will be upgraded with free wifi, better roads and upgraded public services.
India currently has 16 branches of the IIT, nowhere near enough to accommodate the lakhs of students who vie for admission.
The excitement in Dharwad turned into protests this week when it was learnt that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had written to the centre suggesting that Raichur is a better option. Raichur, also in Northern Karnataka, is located in one of the most backward districts of the state: the "Hyderabad- Karnatak" region, which has been granted Special Status, entitling it to special financial assistance from the centre for its development.
Sources say senior and influential Congress leaders from Raichur like Mallikarjun Kharge lobbied the Chief Minister for the IIT relocation. In the last few days, protests have been held in Dharwad groups including the opposition BJP, and a bandh is planned tomorrow for the city.
The town can relax...it appears to have got what it wanted.