Team Herald
OLD GOA: Green transport, a special pilgrim village and transport from all major towns to Old Goa have been arranged for the pilgrims as Goa prepares for the decennial Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier from November 21 onwards.
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A light and sound show has been slated for December 27. Clean, green and safe exposition, this is what the government and church authorities expect
Around 80 lakh pilgrims are expected during the 45 day period. The Church said it is fully prepared for the Exposition.
Addressing a press conference after reviewing the preparations, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said a special light and music show will be held on December 27 at Se Cathedral.
“The special attraction this year will be pollution-free buggies. In addition, Pilgrim villages have been created. Transport facilities have been made available from Panjim, Ponda, Margao and at all the bus stands for ferrying the pilgrims. A time-table in this regard will be announced soon. People should avoid using two or four wheelers and instead opt for Kadamba Transport Corporation’s buses. A ferry boat service will also be used from Panjim to Old Goa.
The Chief Minister said, “Over 1,300 police personnel will be deployed for the exposition of which 600 will be from the traffic cell.
“We are deploying 700 police personnel for the Exposition. They will be here 24×7 for 45 days. Additional PIs, besides SP and DySPs will be deployed there,” he said.
Sawant said that the event will be monitored through CCTV and anyone found indulging in suspicious activities will be immediately picked up.
Stating that 98 per cent of the work related to the event has been completed, he urged the pilgrims, stall owners and vendors to maintain cleanliness.
He also said that arrangements of sufficient quantities of water will be made for the Exposition.
Refusing to divulge details of the expenses incurred on the Exposition, he said some works are yet to be completed.
Fr Henry Falcao, Convenor of the Exposition Committee, said the Mass on the inaugural day will be held at 9.30 am.
“We have not given any formal invitation from the Church for the inaugural ceremony of the Exposition but we have given a formal invitation for the feast. After the Mass, we will have a solemn procession of the sacred relics from the Basilica to the Se Cathedral,” he said.
