PANAJI
A special co-ordination committee headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant with officials of Central government agencies, including the Archeological Survey of India, has been formed to oversee the maintenance of the iconic Unesco Heritage Church Complex site at Old Goa.
Apart from Sawant, the committee also has Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar, who holds the Archives and Archaeology portfolio, on it.
Kavlekar told the Goa legislative assembly during 'zero hour' that the committee was formed after the roof and several parts of the Basilica of Bom Jesus which houses the relics of St Francis Xavier were partly damaged due to rains when the roof was opened for maintenance work.
"We will ensure that this will not be repeated," Kavlekar said in response to a mention of the matter during zero hour by Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginald Lourenco.
Also on the Committee are officials from the State Archaeology department, Goa police, PWD and also officials of the Catholic Church.
Last year, during the Covid-19 related lockdown, water had seeped into the walls of the Basilica when the roof was left open by the contractor who was unable to carry out the work as hiring workers was hindered.
The issue had kicked up a controversy when Church officials flagged the issue.
Maintenance of the Basilica and other sites at the Church Complex in Old Goa has seen intermittent bickerings between officials of the Church and the ASI which is in charge of all civil maintenance work as it is a UNESCO-endorsed world heritage site.
