Dharbandora is a sub-division of Goa. The taluka came into existence as a part of the South Goa district on 4 April 2012. Five panchayats, Dharbandora, Kirlapal-Dabhal, Collem, Mollem and Sancorda from the Sanguem taluka were incorporated into the new taluka.
Nearly eight years later, there has been a new development, which has been hailed by all quarters, amidst politics over who had demanded it first.
Chief Minister’s Promise
Earlier this month, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant declared the creation of a third district for Goa within a year which will include Dharbandora, Ponda and other surrounding talukas.
Sawant disclosed this while speaking after inaugurating the ground plus four storey of the Dharbandora Taluka Administrative office Complex constructed at a cost of around Rs 23 crore.
He said this is needed for the convenience of people and smooth development and creation of infrastructure for the growing population and their demands.
While all the government offices of the taluka will be shifted to the building, he added that Dharbandora village will be converted into a city in the next year five years.
He also said the four-lane work of the NH from Belgaum to Mollem will be completed within a year. He also promised a truck terminus at Dharbandora as trucks were parked on the road leading to fatal accidents. The CM also assured constructing a bus stand and basic infrastructure.
Ponda MLA optimistic
Welcoming the proposal, Ponda MLA Ravi Naik called for its creation at the earliest and suggested that even Sanquelim area of Bicholim taluka can be added to the third district.
He spoke about how its location will make it easier for people to visit it as they would no longer be required to travel to Panjim and Margao.
He explained the benefits to ST, SC and other rural population and said this move would also help the areas, which have otherwise been lagging behind in development compared to other parts of Goa.
“After the third district, people will get a separate district court, Superintendent of Police, Collector’s office as well central government’s funds for development of infrastructure like waste treatment plants or bringing in industries. Further if the area of administration is small, it will ensure quick implementation of welfare schemes and projects,” said Naik.
Dharbandora panchayat’s views
Dharbandora panchayat Deputy Sarpanch Balaji Gawas claimed the new Administrative building is standing on land owned by the panchayat and therefore demanded space for a new panchayat office. "We were promised space for the panchayat office and library at the time of laying the foundation stone few years ago, hence the chief minister should fulfill our demand", he said.
The CM assured to look into the promise.
He further felt that the move was a bit hurried as most of the administrative offices of the taluka are yet to be shifted.
Against the backdrop of future promises, he looked at what has happened in the past and pointed out that even though the area had been converted into a taluka more than seven years ago, the place has not seen much development. Speaking about what needs to be done, Gawas said an industrial estate is required as it would help solve the problem of unemployment. He also pointed out that a large section of the local population was employed in the mining and related business and that they had lost their jobs when mining was banned years ago.
He also reasoned that there is plenty of government land where other infrastructure related works can be taken up like a bus stand, market complex etc. “The local vendors and farmers have to face a lot of hardships as they are forced to travel to another taluka to sell their wares. We need a full-fledged market complex,” added Gawas.
Sanjivani factory issues
According to the locals, the functioning of the Sanjivani Sugar Factory is indirectly essential to the local economy and without it, Dharbandora would suffer. However, the CM, during his recent visit, assured that there are no plans to shut it down and acknowledged that the project can help the economy of the local area. While there are a section of farmers from Dharbandora who are dependent on the factory for their livelihood, other locals spoke about how vacant land owned by the corporation can be used for boosting the infrastructure of the area.
PWD Minister’s assurances
PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar, who is also the local MLA, said that he is committed to the development of Dharbandora. On problems, faced by locals, he said that issues pertaining to the transfer of Aframento property cases as well as forest right cases, are under consideration. He added that he feels that these cases will be settled soon. He also assured that infrastructure work like roads, water supply, are in the pipeline and that the overall ground scenario will improve soon.