ASI had directed PWD to dismantle all semi-permanent structures within 10 days after the end of Exposition
The Exposition Secretariat, which according to rumours, could be used to temporarily house the Old Goa police station.
Photo Credits: Manuel Vaz
OLD GOA
With the 45-day 18th Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier having ended on January 5, the focus has now shifted to the fate of the infrastructure which was created for the event.
During the closing ceremony, authorities had informed that some temporary structures would be removed while some other infrastructure would stay. When 'The Goan' visited Old Goa, it was found that the temporary structures within the precincts of the Se Cathedral and the Basilica of Bom Jesus had been dismantled.
However, the Exposition Secretariat, the police barracks, the cottages at the Pilgrims Village, as well as the toilet blocks, have not been touched as yet. 'The Goan' is in possession of the approval given by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to the PWD which clearly states that all semi-permanent structures/installations are to be dismantled within 10 days after the conclusion of the Exposition.
“PWD shall ensure that all the semi-permanent structures/installations are duly dismantled and removed from the ground/base level completely devoid of any traces in and around the monument environs within ten days after the Exposition is completed,” one of the conditions of the ASI approval stated.
It has been 10 days since the Exposition concluded and the 10-day deadline as per the ASI approval came to an end on Wednesday.
Reliable sources, however, informed 'The Goan' that there are moves to ensure that a majority of the infrastructure is retained.
“Several lakhs of rupees have been spent on the infrastructure and as such, moves are underway to retain a majority of the infrastructure," the sources added.
The cottages which were built at the Pilgrims Village for the benefit of the pilgrims arriving for veneration of the Relics of St Francis Xavier. Photo Manuel Vaz
Some locals who were contacted by 'The Goan' were also in favour of retaining the infrastructure created so that it could be used by and for pilgrims, devotees and tourists who come in large numbers to Old Goa.
“Why waste public exchequer's money by demolishing the infrastructure,” questioned a local.
However, some heritage lovers have opined that the PWD should adhere to the conditions set by the ASI and whichever structures that have been earmarked as semi-permanent or temporary should be removed from the site.
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These rumours are doing the rounds in Old Goa as apparently there are moves to shift the police station here, to pave the way to demolish the old structure housing the police station and enable the construction of a new building.
Currently, the construction for a new building for Old Goa police station has yet to see the light of day as apparently no suitable place has been found to shift the police station, even though more than a year has passed since the foundation stone for a new building for police station was laid.
An effort was made to contact the police inspector at the Old Goa police station for comments on the matter, but he did not respond to a call.
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“We initiated the dismantling process on January 6, the day after the Exposition ended, but were directed by the government to cease the work,” the source stated. The source further disclosed that the government intends to repurpose one of the facilities, although the specific plans remain unclear.
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The toilet blocks which were used by the security personnel. Photo Manuel Vaz
Letters have been addressed to the Conservation Assistant (Archaeological Survey of India), Superintending Archaeologist (ASI - Goa Circle), North Goa Collector, Chief Secretary, Tiswadi Mamlatdar, Se Old Goa panchayat, Old Goa police station and others.
In his complaint, Mascarenhas pointed out that structures erected for the Exposition in Old Goa continue to stand tall despite the same being temporary in nature and require to be dismantled within ten days after the end of the Exposition.
"The PWD, in order to facilitate the Exposition of the Relics of St Francis Xavier, had requested permission/approval for carrying out constructions of temporary/semi-permanent and permanent structures along with their Detail Project Report.
"The Government of India, through the Archaeological Survey of India, Monument II Section, gave approval to construct temporary and semi-permanent structures only (excluding one toilet on the rear side of the Se Cathedral Church) as sought by the PWD. However, the PWD, in complete defiance of the said approval granted has carried out constructions of structures permanent in nature, completely conflicting with the said permissions granted. Nevertheless, there has been also a condition laid down whilst granting the permission that the PWD shall remove the semi-permanent and temporary structures within ten days after the Exposition is completed,” the complaint states.
Further, Mascarenhas pointed out, “The Exposition of the Relics of St Francis Xavier concluded on January 5, approval has expired and thus, the ten days period provided to the PWD in the said approval have also expired, but the said structures erected by the PWD are still not removed."
Mascarenhas has then prayed that the authorities “should look into the non-compliance and take the necessary action as per law, need less to submit to direct removal of the said structures from the prohibited area, as early as possible."
In his support, Mascarenhas has attached photographs of the various infrastructure created like the Exposition Secretariat, barracks, cottages at Pilgrims Village, as also the toilet blocks.
