SANTOSH NAIK
santosh@herald-goa.com
PONDA: The locals of Varkhandem have claimed that the beautiful Hanuman Tirth spring water lake situated near the Hanuman Temple is losing its glory due to ongoing highway widening work.
Locals complain that several trees have been felled and agricultural land has been filled for widening of the National Highway at Ponda. The locals are firm in saving the lone spring water lake in Ponda, which is used for various purposes.
They allege that the illegal land filling work is progressing at a rapid rate near the spring water lake and on account of this the flow of water has stopped. This in turn has resulted in water getting stagnated, which in turn has proved to be a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. However, the locals are irked that despite taking steps to save the spring water lake from destruction, the highway authorities are firm on filling the land especially at the site to carry out the highway widening work.
The spring water lake is on verge of being destroyed as authorities acquired the site for widening of the National Highway from Maruti Temple to Curti-Khandepar.
The national highway widening work is going to destroy 50 percent of the spring water lake.
Most nullahs and wells in Ponda have been polluted due to the alleged discharge of waste and sewage.
However, according to Varkhandem locals the spring water lake still provides pure drinking water which also used for other purposes. The spring water was recently being used for immersing Ganesh idols as the nullahs or wells in the town which were earlier used for the same have been polluted due to release of waste and sewage.
There highway widening plan has created panic among the locals, who have decided to protect the spring water lake. Anil Korde, a resident said the two trees situated near the spring water lake are facing the axe on account of the highway widening. “The spring water lake is the only source of clean drinking water which has been tested by Goa Engineering College students and needs to be protected. We need roads for development but that does not mean that we should blindly damage and sacrifice the precious natural resources to carry out development works,” he added.
Sadhle, who is also a renowned architect said, “I am ready to sit and discuss with the National Highway Authorities to make some changes in highway widening to save the spring water lake and it is possible. But authorities should show some interest instead of hurriedly going for widening work”. The locals have also called for a meeting in this regard on Sunday and will later submit a memorandum to the new MLA of Ponda immediately after poll result.
