ANIL SHANKWALKER POMBURPA
Visit the Pomburpa Spring and it is difficult to imagine that it was once a prominent tourism spot in North Goa. Even though a whopping Rs 1 crore had been spent on renovating the Pomburpa Spring barely four years ago, the present condition of the site is such that most fitments are either stolen or are non-functional, there is no PWD water supply since the past six years and the entrance gate was broken a few months ago.
Frustrated over various problems associated with the Pomburpa Spring, the Tourism Department virtually abandoned the project and wants to hand it over to the panchayat or some other agency.
Speaking to Herald, the watchman said the entrance gate to the spring was broken in January 2014, but the Tourism Department had not repaired it till date.
Empty beer cans were found strewn all over the area, while 50% of the lamps were not working. The tube lights fitted in changing rooms have been stolen, making it risky for any female visitor to enter the changing room. Despite boasting of a perennial spring, the Pomburpa Spring has been without PWD water connection for over six years.
The Tourism dept did not settle the water bill amounting to Rs 15,172 despite repeated reminders and the PWD disconnected the water supply to the Sulabh Shouchalaya on June 28, 2008.
A number of tourists and locals visit the Pomburpa Spring, but many are shocked to find the famed spring in a deplorable condition. Those few tourists who decide to visit the site are forced to fill spring water in pots and bottles, should they decided to visit the toilets.
“It is disgusting to find the spring in such shabby condition,” remarked a tourist, who was at the site. “There is a continuous flow of spring day and night. The department could easily have installed a large water tank by the side of Sulabh Shouchalaya and with the help of a long pipe spring water could have been stored in the tank.”
“If the tank is connected to the toilet, the Tourism Department would not have had to incur any expenditure towards payment of water bills,” said the tourist.
When contacted, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said he was aware of the condition of the Pomburpa Spring.
“The Tourism Dept had appointed a contractor to look after maintenance of the Pomburpa Spring. He was expected to pay the water bill as well, as per the contract. However, the contractor did not pay the water bill and left the project midway,” informed Parulekar.
Commenting on the poor condition of infrastructure at the spring, Parulekar added: “Some miscreants in the area are responsible for the present condition of the spring. If the watchman raises the objection, they threaten him with dire consequences.”
“The Tourism Dept does not wish to waste money on maintaining electrical fixtures time and again. If Pomburpa Panchayat or some agency shows willingness and takes the responsibility to maintain the spring, the Tourism Department will be happy to hand over the spring area to them.” The minister made it clear that the village and its locals should also be involved in the Pomburpa Spring.
“The cooperation of locals is important for the maintenance of the spring and to attract tourists on a regular basis. If a growing number of tourists visit the Pomburpa Spring, the economic activities of the village will get a boost,” said Parulekar.
