PANAJI
In preparation for the upcoming Exposition of St Francis Xavier’s relics, the Exposition Committee has decided to install CCTVs across major strategic points at Old Goa to ensure safety of the pilgrims.
Also, for effective traffic management and hassle-free movement during the Exposition, the Committee has decided to deploy electric buses, across the State, to transport pilgrims to Se Cathedral- Old Goa. For this purpose, KTC EV buses would be roped in.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday chaired an Exposition Committee review meeting during which directions were issued to the authorities to ensure installation and monitoring of CCTV cameras across all major points like parking, entry and exit points and other crucial locations.
Directions were also issued to police officials to create awareness among the pilgrims to be cautious about pick pocketing to ensure safety of their belongings.
Speaking to media persons post meeting, Sawant said the entire infrastructure and other works related to the Exposition will be completed by November 15. He said that the road heading towards Old Goa would be tarred in the next eight days.
Sawant said that public transport for pilgrims of Panaji, Margao, Mapusa and Vasco to Old Goa and back would be provided with due publicity for effective traffic management. He also said small EV buses could be used to ferry people from designated parking lots.
FROM CHENNAI TO GOA
PANAJI: Betalbatim Parish Priest Fr Adrian Furtado said the carriage to carry the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier had been specially designed and built in Chennai, before it was transported to Goa.
“This special carriage has been built upon a new 15-seater electric vehicle with special tyres, which can take a load of up to 4 tonnes. It has been built up for this purpose by Sekar Manivel (EASYGO) from Chennai, which was transported by a lorry,” said Fr Furtado.
The fabrication of the carriage along with a canopy at a height of 14 feet is done by Rosario Vaz (Rifa Metal Works), while the design and its execution is being done by M/s Blessed Joseph Vaz Enterprises (an Archdiocesan firm) under the directorship of Fr Adriao Furtado.
