The upcoming Damodar Saptah will be insured for the first time in 126 years and moreover, there will be three separate insurance covers for the festival.
While the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has insured the Saptah fair for ₹20.25 crore and a separate fire insurance of ₹25 lakh for the food court area, the Saptah Utsav Samiti has insured the temple premises.
In a landmark initiative, the MMC has become the first civic body in the State to provide insurance coverage for a festival within its jurisdiction.
MMC Chairperson Girish Borker said the decision was taken as a safety measure, especially in light of recent tragedies like the stampede during the Lairai Jatra, which claimed six lives and left dozens injured.
“We have seen that some devotees lost their lives due to a stampede at the Lairai Jatra. Our annual Damodar Saptah draws huge crowds from across Goa and other parts of the country. As a precautionary measure, we decided to take an insurance cover of ₹20 crore for the seven-day festival,” Borker told the media.
He added, “This is the first time in the 126-year history of Damodar Saptah ” and in Goa ” that a civic body has opted for festival insurance. The coverage includes the entire stretch of Swatantra Path and St Joseph Vaz Road, from Hiralal Junction to National Pharmacy on Swatantra Path, and from Apna Bazar to Dreamland on St Joseph Vaz Road, where the stalls are set up.”
Borker further informed that an additional fire insurance worth ₹25 lakh has been taken for the designated food court area.
“We have set up a food court in the garden to shift the kitchens of the eateries there. Since food preparation is involved and fire risks are present, we have insured the food court as well,” he said.
Echoing Borker’s statement, MMC Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik said, “a public liability insurance policy of ₹20 crore has been taken for the entire duration of the Damodar Saptah by the Mormugao Municipal Council.”
The MMC’s proactive step is being hailed as a model for other civic bodies in the state to follow in ensuring the safety of large public gatherings.
The Saptah Utsav Samiti Secretary Santosh Khorjuvekar said the committee has also insured the temple premises this year, considering the large number of devotees expected.
“This is a first-of-its-kind initiative for the festival,” said Khorjuvekar.
He also informed that volunteer teams have been formed and responsibilities assigned.
“We have created sub-committees and briefed the Deputy Collector on the preparedness for managing access to the temple. We urge devotees to be patient and avoid visiting the temple during peak hours between 11 am and 2 pm,” said Khorjuvekar, appealing to the public to plan their darshan accordingly for a safer and smoother experience.
