The Goan: After you became sarpanch of Pomburpa what weresome of the issues of the village that you took stock of?
Vinay Chopdekar: Though the literacy rate is rising, thereis no pharmacy, library and gymnasium. We intend to develop a day care centrefor senior citizens but the land for such a facility is not available.
TG: What was the agenda of the gram sabha held in July?
VC: The agenda of the meeting was a five-year plan that wechalked out for each of the seven wards of Pomburpa. The 5-year plans were madeon the basis of the requirement of each ward. Some of the common plans for allwards are: compost pits, reviving agriculture and supplying high yield seedsand fertilisers to farmers, implementation of irrigation schemes and starting afarmers club. We are also thinking of having a watershed programme for rainharvesting.
TG: What could be the solution of the narrow road and thepresence of cattle on the road?
VC: We had informed the MLA during his visit that there wereaccidents because of cattle wandering on to the road. If we get financialassistance from the government, we can have a cattle pool using part of theland owned by the panchayat. Cowdung can be used for gobar gas plants. This andthe milk from the cows will generate revenue and employment. There was also thesuggestion put forth for the construction of another bypass on the plateauwithout disturbing the current route as widening the road would cause people tolose their homes.
TG: What is the situation of the ferry linking Chorão toPomburpa?
VC: The approach road to the ferry ramp is narrow and thiscauses a lot of inconvenience especially when 3-4 vehicles are lined up for theferry. The approach road cannot be widened because people have their housesaround the ramp. Till a bridge is built, an alternate way has to be found. Thetemporary ramp that was created when the existing one was being repaired wasopposite Dena Bank and this served as a better location.
