Panaji, April 29, 2020: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has decided to constitute a special doordination committee to oversee the restoration and conservation of the Basilica of Bom Jesus.

The government decision comes in the wake of concern raised over the preservation of the 17th-century basilica that houses the mortal remains of Saint Francis Xavier, the apostle of the east.

Sawant on April 29 visited the basilica in Old Goa and inspected the entire structure. Basilica Rector Jesuit Father Patricio Fernandes, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Goa Circle Superintending Archaeologist K Amarnath Ramakrishna, St Andre MLA Francis Silveira were among those present for the site inspection.

Addressing media, the chief minister said he has called for a meeting of stakeholders on 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 chief minister, the basilica and other church structures would receive due attention and conservation.

The rector informed Sawant 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.

Father 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.

The priest 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.

Father Fernandes also emphasized 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.

The priest said the chief minister 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.

Later, Public Works Department 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.

Source: heraldgoa.in