PORVORIM
Until a few decades ago, Porvorim was just one ward of Socorro village and the plateau was largely barren with hardly any habitation in the area.
The situation today is different and the plateau has undergone a dramatic transformation, with hundreds of buildings -- commercial and residential -- being constructed on the Porvorim plateau.
The recent inauguration of the high court complex is the latest of several state-level offices and administrative units to be set up in Porvorim, which is now turning into the de facto capital of Goa.
Consider the long list of government and judicial complexes as well as state offices of various government departments to have set up base in Porvorim: Legislative Assembly/Secretariat, High Court, education department, Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Water Resources Department, Goa Human Resource Development Corporation, State Council of Educational Research and Training, Directorate of Technical Education, Goa Housing Board, Kadamba Transport Corporation and state centre of Indira Gandhi National Open University.
The Lekha Bhavan (accounts department) which is under construction will also be added to this list soon.
Incidentally, Porvorim is not just an attraction for government, judicial and other administration complexes, as sports, education and even religious institutions have also set up their head offices in Porvorim.
The Goa Cricket Association, the Pilar Fathers (Society of Pilar Generalate) and the Sanjay Centre For Special Education have their headquarters in Porvorim, while Goa’s largest mall, Mall de Goa, is also located on the plateau.
The name ‘Porvorim’ has also been given to the police station and the health centre, even though both fall in the jurisdiction of Penha-da-Franca.
What is interesting is that Porvorim does not have a panchayat or municipal council of its own. Porvorim is the name associated with a geographic region covering the entire plateau which falls in the jurisdictions of six panchayats: Penha-da-Franca, Salvado-do-Mundo, Socorro, Reis Magos, Pilerne and Sangolda.
‘Municipality needed for planned development’
PORVORIM:
With the rapid expansion of structures and activities on the plateau, there have been growing demands that the Porvorim plateau should be consolidated into one entity and upgraded to a municipality for better development of the area.
Chairperson of Sanjay Centre for Special Education Guruprasad Pawaskar insists that a municipal status to Porvorim would ensure development in a planned manner.
“The need of the hour is to upgrade the entire Porvorim plateau into a municipality. At present, there is no coordination among the six panchayats -- Penha-da-Franca, Salvado-do-Mundo, Socorro, Reis Magos, Pilerne and Sangolda -- which own portions of the plateau.”
“These panchayats are only interested in issuing construction licenses and occupancy certificates and are least bothered about providing better infrastructure,” said Pawaskar.
“The entire area of Porvorim, right from the Legislative Assembly complex to Damian de Goa as well as areas from PDA colony to Chogm road should be included in the municipal limits.”
“Municipal status for Porvorim can ensure development in a planned manner,” he added.
Porvorim-based medical practitioner Dr Vinay Prabhudessai said it is high time for the State government to decide on the formation of a Porvorim municipality to manage affairs in Porvorim.
“Porvorim has become the virtual capital of Goa and hence, its development should be carried out in a unified and proper manner,” said Dr Prabhudessai.
President of Porvorim Citizens Forum Agnel Pereira also felt Porvorim needs to become a municipality considering the present developmental activities.
“During Gram Sabhas, different panchayats in Porvorim pass resolutions but action is not always taken on these resolutions. These panchayats will be unable to handle the additional garbage problems. Further, illegal constructions are on the rise in Porvorim.”
“Under these circumstances, it would be advisable if the government decides to form a municipality for Porvorim. To ensure the planned development of Porvorim, a municipality is the only solution,” said Pereira.
‘Better infrastructure needed in Porvorim’
PORVORIM:
Admitting that Porvorim has quickly risen in status and prominence, people in Porvorim have claimed that the existing infrastructure is simply inadequate to cater to the growing demands on the plateau.
The acute water shortage being faced by institutions like the education department and the District Institute of Education and Training (D.I.E.T) and several housing societies have highlighted the inadequate infrastructure in Porvorim.
With the completion of projects like the Lekha Bhavan (accounts department), fire station, new market, problems pertaining to garbage, water and power supply is bound to increase.
“There is no doubt that Porvorim’s importance has risen as many government head offices have shifted to Porvorim,” said Swapnil Chodankar, sarpanch of Penha de Franca, the village which, incidentally, is home to most government and judicial complexes in Porvorim.
“At the same time, it is clear that the load on infrastructure will increase immensely. The main problem will be the disposal of garbage and water shortage. People in Porvorim are also facing erratic power supply.”
“The Penha de Franca panchayat is facing a financial crunch as the State government has not released octroi since the last three years,” said Chodankar.
Porvorim-based medical practitioner Dr Vinay Prabhu Dessai said the State government has not paid enough attention to providing basic amenities and infrastructural facilities in Porvorim.
“Porvorim will soon face severe sewage and garbage disposal problems if necessary steps are taken now.
