Panjim: Amidst concern raised over the preservation of Basilica of Bom Jesus, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has decided to constitute a Special Coordination committee to oversee the restoration and conservation of the 17th-century basilica that houses the mortal remains of Jesuit missionary St. Francis Xavier.
Sawant on Wednesday visited Basilica at Old Goa and inspected the entire structure. Basilica Rector Fr Patricio Fernandes, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Goa Circle Superintending Archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna, St Andre MLA Francis Silveira were amongst those present for the site inspection.
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Addressing media , the CM said he has called for a meeting of stakeholders on Friday, May 1, ‘to discuss and to chalk out proper coordination amongst them towards preservation and conservation of the world heritage monument’.
“We will form a coordination committee comprising of representative of government, ASI, Basilica and others. It is our paramount duty to ensure that this structure is maintained and safe,” he said. Sawant added that directions have been issued to ASI to complete the roof repair work before end of May. He also said that anti-termite treatment requirement is also been undertaken.
Silveira expressed confidence that under the CM, the Basilica and other Church structures would receive due attention and conservation.
Rector says Church should be allowed greater involvement
The Rector informed the CM of the utter neglect and gross failure by the ASI to cover the two sides of the roof of the Quadrangle of the Basilica , before the onset of the pre-monsoon rains on April 10 and April 20, which caused extensive damage to the walls, the wooden beams and the wooden floor.
Fr Fernandes pointed out that while closure of the roof is being undertaken on a war-footing at the moment, the anti-termite treatment is also of utmost importance, else the entire heritage monument, which is full of wood and mud walls, will be destroyed by the termites.
He claimed that the ASI, instead of being protectors, had turned out to be destroyers of the heritage monument.
Fr Fernandes claimed that if the ASI is unable to protect the monument, there should be a provision for others to do a professional job of protecting, conserving and restoring the deteriorating areas of the Basilica. He insisted that since the Church is the owner of the Basilica, they should have a great involvement in protecting, conserving and restoring the monument, especially the Basilica and the other Churches around Old Goa.
Fr Fernandes also emphasised the need to revive the board which formerly consisted of representatives from the Church and the ASI to restore, protect and conserve these heritage monuments.
He said the CM listened patiently to all the factors which had led to the deterioration of the Basilica. “Dr Pramod Sawant responded to the proposals by suggesting that these matters will be solved only by constituting a Board, consisting of representatives from the Church, the ASI and the government who can responsibly take care of these prestigious heritage monuments and places of worship,” added the Rector.
PWD Min inspects Basilica, assures of expediting all works
Later at noon, PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar also visited the Basilica and assured the Rector that those works undertaken in the past will be completed before the rains.
He was concerned about the inconvenience caused to tourists and pilgrims because of the delay in construction of toilets and showed willingness to take it up along with a treatment plant to conserve water and utilize it for the irrigation of the entire complex.
Pauskar also endorsed the long-term planning for the pilgrims to provide them better amenities and facilities.
