People standing in a queue at the maze structure on their way to venerate the Relics of St Francis Xavier on Sunday.
Old Goa
A massive crowd gathered in Old Goa on Saturday, with queues stretching over a kilometre. However, on Sunday, the situation was much more manageable, thanks to an extension in the veneration timings by two hours.
Following the heavy rush on Saturday, authorities decided to start the veneration at 6 am instead of 7 am and extended it until 7 pm instead of 6 pm. This change helped manage the crowd effectively on Sunday, despite large numbers of visitors.
Speaking to reporters, Law Minister Aleixo Sequeira acknowledged that the extended hours had eased the crowding.
“The additional two hours have clearly helped manage the flow of people, and we will ensure everyone arriving within the specified time gets the opportunity to venerate the Relics,” he said.
Fr Henry Falcao also supported the decision, saying the extension had played a key role in crowd control. “Saturday’s situation was unexpected, but we are now better equipped to handle such challenges,” he noted.
Fr Lawrence Fernandes explained that the sudden surge of pilgrims, devotees, and tourists on Saturday had led to overcrowding, with queues extending throughout Old Goa. “By the afternoon, we implemented changes that brought the situation under control by 4 pm. We are now prepared to address any similar situations in the future,” he added.
