The spring is over

Nestled at the foot of the thickly vegetated hills is thevillage of Pomburpa. The surroundings are rustic and time seems to slow down asone navigates the winding roads.

However, the lethargic feeling turns to worry when oneencounters the very narrow road entering Pomburpa, the one that passes throughEcoxiem. “Two cars or a car and a bus travelling in opposite directions cannotuse the road at the same time. Sometimes one car has to reverse to let theother pass” says Santan Fernandes, a resident. Step off the road and you bumpinto the door of one of the several little houses that line the road. “Due to alack of space, the residents of these houses park their vehicles on the roadand oftentimes take a bath on the road. Cattle too sit on the road,” he adds.

The bigger problem however, is the famous Pomburpa spring,some distance from the church. The spring is known for its medicinalproperties. “People take a bath in the spring waters which is considered goodfor health and eyesight” said Mario Fernandes, a resident of Succoro. Thespring was beautified by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation at the cost ofaround Rs 80 lakhs and was opened to the public in 2010. However, itsmaintenance now remains neglected. 

“There is a sulabh toilet which is notmaintained. There are changing rooms which people do not use because it stinks”says Deputy Sarpanch, Berta Almeida. The spring is visited by locals andtourists many of who leave their litter behind and get drunk on alcohol.“Another issue is the wastage of water when people do not use it” says Almeida.Pipes have been fitted to make the spring water more easily accessible to allwho visit it. Water unceasingly flows through these pipes. 

“Throughout thenight, this water can be collected into a tank instead of letting it flow intothe gutter and get wasted. With this, the needs of the people in the area canbe met. Also, steps have to be taken to ensure discipline and security at thespring,” she adds.