The Tolsanzor spring at Aquem, a part of Margao’s rich heritage, is in urgent need of attention.
MARGAO
In the midst of a concrete jungle, Margao plays host to two natural water springs – the Ana Fonte spring garden, right in the heart of the commercial capital, and the Tolsanzor spring at Aquem. Both these springs were quite famous and popular amongst Madgavkars and Saxttikars in general decades ago because of their medicinal properties before they were left to rot and decay.
While the Ana Fonte spring has been restored to its pristine glory with a garden and a musical fountain, the Tolsanzor is craving attention. Blamed on apathy and neglect by the authorities, the Tolsanzor appears almost forgotten as the spring literally lies in ruins for want of upkeep and maintenance. Instead of hosting picnickers or citizens spending their leisure time at the spring, the area has been turned into a dump and a den for anti-social elements.
Tolsanzor received a fresh lease of life around two decades ago when the entire place was spruced up and upgraded, with exposed laterite masonry and facilities befitting the spring. Sadly, things have come full circle in the absence of any maintenance by the authorities.
The spring was in the news around two years ago, in April 2023, when the ruling BJP observed the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar after the party had issued a diktat to local party workers to clean up the water bodies, including springs.
Wild bushes, garbage, and broken bottles were all cleared by Margao Municipal workers during the clean-up operation. Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, who visited the spot to take part in the clean-up operation, promised to involve government agencies to revive the Tolsanzor spring to its pristine glory and ensure its maintenance. In fact, a visibly agitated Kamat expressed disgust over the state of affairs at Tolsanzor, given that he was instrumental in restoring the spring to its glory during his ministerial stint around two decades ago.
Almost two years down the line, the ground reality has not changed for the better. A visit to the spring reveals that nothing has changed on the ground. A senior lady citizen who came to fetch water from the spring protested over the state of affairs.
“I have not seen any change in the spring for a long time now. People in the past used to come here, believing the spring water had medicinal properties, offering cures for eye and skin infections. Take a glance at the spring water. We use the same for our daily needs, but the entire site is in a mess. The spring is a heritage site and needs to be protected for the present and future generations,” the lady added.
