It’s turning out to be a battle to meet the opening of the exposition of the sacred relics of St Francis Xavier. As D-day for 44-day long exposition approaches, various agencies are working at breakneck pace to prepare the area for the expected five million pilgrims and tourists who are expected to throng Old Goa to venerate the relics of the `Goycho Saib’.
The area around the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Se Cathedral at Old Goa is undergoing a facelift by way of new facilities that include temporary shelters for pilgrims, temporary toilets, parking facilities, upgradation of roads and pandals for the masses.
All this is happening at a hectic pace and officials claim they will have everything ready by November 20, two days before the November 22 inaugural, a deadline that appears to be a pretty tight and dicey ask. The workers are not helped by the steady flow of tourists to the world heritage site.
Convener of the committee for the exposition, Fr Alfred Vaz, told Herald that the government had promised to complete all the infrastructure work by November 20.
Behind the Se Cathedral about 100 temporary sheds crowned with coconut thatched roofs give the area a rustic appearance. These will mainly serve as shelters for the pilgrims, while some will be converted into camp offices of various departments like police, electricity, water, disaster management team, including a missing persons’ booth.
“Each shed is fitted with a ceiling fan and lights. Except for the concrete flooring, the rest is eco-friendly,” a worker told this reporter. With different contractors hired to build the sheds, the work is expected to be completed within a week. Similarly, construction of toilets and preparations for the parking lots will also be completed within the next few days.
The high powered committee on law and order has planned watertight security for the event. Over 100 close circuit television (CCTVs) cameras, 10-odd observation towers and close to 1,300 Goa police and traffic personnel will maintain vigil in the area.
“We have requisitioned to install at least 130 permanent and temporary CCTVs at the Basilica, parking zones and other locations in and around the venue,” the committee commissioner Bosco George said. It is now for the Goa Police to decide the number of personnel it will sanction for the exposition as the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) coincides with the early days of the exposition.
Surveillance will be stricter around the area where the silver casket containing the sacred relics of the Saint will be kept open for veneration by the pilgrims for around 11 hours daily.
Separate entry points for people going for masses and those visiting the relics, over 50 door frame metal detectors and handheld metal detectors, about 800 police personnel, including the recently passed out sub inspectors, constables, IRB personnel and 400-odd traffic personnel will be a part of the overall security requirements. Since the influx of pilgrims and tourists will be heavy during this period, the State has also requisitioned central para military forces.
As per the security plan, personnel as well as officers will work in three major shifts. There will be regular bandobast and special bandobast during the opening and closing dates, holidays and weekends when pilgrims and visitors are expected to descend in large numbers.
“Patrolling within the Church premises will be carried out daily. NSS-NCC cadets and traffic wardens could be roped-in for assistance. This will be in addition to more than 300 Church volunteers on the job,” George said.
Besides 10 portable watch towers, another 10-odd temporary police outposts will be set up in addition to pilgrim and tourist friendly signages at Old Goa.
On the garbage front, the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) has invited bids for undertaking solid waste management at an estimated cost of Rs 62 lakh.
“The decision has been taken considering that tons of garbage would be generated during the exposition. This project will also ensure cleanliness. Millions of pilgrims are expected to arrive and there will be hundreds of stalls and gadas installed in the area leading to waste generation,” GSIDC managing director Sanjit Rodrigues said.
