NIT-Goa offers its revamped 120-bed hostel to government for isolation centre

PANAJI: As new Covid-19 cases are seeing a spike every day in Goa, the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Goa, has voluntarily spruced up its 120-bedded hostel building for the state government to use it as an isolation centre for patients who are awaiting their test results.
“As Covid-19 cases are recording a new high during the second wave of the pandemic, it is the duty of all institutions to come to the aid of the government. Rather than pointing to the shortcomings of the government, we should all come together to overcome this pandemic,” said NIT Goa director Gopal Mugeraya.
During the first wave, the NIT Goa hostel facilities were used to house asymptomatic patients along with the hostel facilities of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Goa.
“The last time around, the building was taken over in a hurry to house the patients and we did not have time to spruce up. This time, we decided to be prepared with better facilities for the patients. We have painted the building, installed new bathroom fittings, made provision for drinking water facilities and have sanitised the spaces,” Mugeraya said. The hostel is located at the temporary premises of the NIT at Farmagudi in Ponda.
“To be able to provide better environment to those housed at NIT Goa hostel, open common areas will be available to patients to breathe in fresh air as well,” he said.
Presently, students of NIT Goa are not on the campus and classes are being conducted through the online mode, leaving the hostel blocks unoccupied.
During the first wave, the NIT Goa hostel facilities were used to house asymptomatic patients along with the hostel facilities of Indian Institute of Technology, Goa