By Verghese V Joseph –
Goa: Waste Management Minister Michael Lobo’s immediate visit to the Basilica of Bom Jesus and Shrine of ‘Goyencho Saib’ St Francis Xavier at Old Goa soon after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was exposed of gross negligence towards the Basilica was encouraging and promising. He showed much concern and support in terms of repairs and maintenance of the Basilica because it’s a heritage monument and very beautiful ancient Church housing the relic of Goyencho Saib – St. Francis Xavier.
Read earlier report: Shoddy Restoration Work at Goa’s Basilica of Bom Jesus Causes Deep Anguish
Delegated by the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Lobo along with his wife and a couple of officers visited the Basilica on Thursday and inspected the damage to the open roof, ceiling and wooden floors in the quadrangle area of the Basilica.
He was disheartened to learn that the ASI had tendered it to a contractor from outside Goa (Aurangabad). Lobo said that if ASI cannot do it then GTDC could take up the work and finish it.
But the ASI personnel, who came to meet him, blamed the contractor for delaying the work. So he said that they had to give it to another person who was familiar with the Goa monsoon and weather conditions. However, even that arrangement ran into issues.
So with heavy showers twice – one on Good Friday (10th April) and Monday (20th April), the precious heritage monument was left to rot while squabbling went on.
Lobo constantly reminded the ASI to complete the work within two weeks, which they have again promised to keep. He expressed his sorrow over the neglect by the ASI of this precious heritage Basilica.
Lobo asked the rector of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Fr. Patricio Fernandes, S.J., to send him a requisition for doing up the new toilets and that GSIDC would take the project in hand. He was also briefed about the PWD’s pending work of pavers for the sake of pilgrims. He assured the rector that the work would be completed.
At the Mausoleum, Lobo saw the Mastrillian Casket made in 1637 and which the Italian company in Florence was ready to renovate it within a year if we would look into the nitty-gritty of dispatching it to Italy and bringing it back. Lobo said that he could look into the matter of dispatching it to Italy.
The ASI representative then informed Lobo that the Centre’s Prasad Scheme has received substantial amount of money – Rs 50 crore – to beautify cluster churches. Under this scheme, several repair works have been taken and that they would discuss further what else would be taken up.
Lobo assured the rector that since the Central Government takes the initiative to beautify the heritage monuments, he would bring the Culture Minister from Delhi to view the Basilica and speed up the process. He said he would also meet the Director General of ASI in Delhi and discuss the restoration work for the Basilica.
He spent some time in prayer before the Sacred Relic of ‘Goyencho Saib’ and took leave assuring me that he would personally come now and then to see that the maintenance work continues at the Basilica.