Photo Caption: Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant Visited Basilica of Bom Jesus to inspect the ongoing work of the Archaeological Survey of India.
Old Goa: In a significant development, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has expressed the need to constitute a board consisting of representatives from the Church, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the government who can responsibly take care of prestigious heritage monuments and places of worship in Old Goa and across the State.
The chief minister put forth the suggestion when he visited the Basilica of Bom Jesus at Old Goa on Wednesday to inspect the world heritage site, after the Rector Fr Patricio Fernandes S.J had complained about the utter negligence of the ASI during repair work at the Basilica, leading to considerable damage during the recent pre-monsoon rains.
The chief minister has convened a meeting with the representative on Friday, May 1 at 11 am, to resolve these issues and arrive at an amicable settlement. Sawant was accompanied by St Andre MLA Francis Silveira and ASI officers were also present while the chief minister interacted with Fr Fernandes.
The ASI officers explained that lack of funds, lack of expertise and inability to collaborate with parties willing to do a professional job of conserving the different areas of the Basilica were some of the factors leading to the neglect and deterioration of the Basilica.
The Rector informed the chief minister of the utter neglect and gross failure by the ASI to cover the two sides of the roof of the Quadrangle of the Basilica of Bom Jesus — a world heritage site which has attracted devotees and tourists from across the world — before the onset of the pre-monsoon rains on 10th April and 20th April, 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.
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 are the owners of the Basilica, they should have a great involvement in protecting, conserving and restoring the monument, especially the Basilica of Bom Jesus 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.
Dr Pramod Sawant patiently listened to all factors which had led to the deterioration of the Basilica and 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.
He has convened a meeting of these representative on Friday, 1 May at 11 am at which all these issues can be resolved amicably.
St Andre MLA Francis Silveira expressed confidence that under the patronage of Dr Sawant, the Basilica and other Church structures would receive due attention and conservation.
Later at noon, PWD Minister Deepak Pauskar 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 cause 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.
The minister also endorsed the long-term planning for the pilgrims to provide them better amenities and facilities.