OLD GOA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the development of amenities in and around Basilica of Bom Jesus, Old Goa, under the ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spiritual Augmentation Drive’ (PRASAD) scheme through virtual mode on Thursday.
The launch was held in Srinagar and was telecast live at Old Goa, which forms part of the Rs 2,400 crore development projects which have been either inaugurated on launched in 43 different parts of the country.
The Old Goa project will cost over Rs 17 crore and includes parking lot and a heritage interpretation centre for the benefit of pilgrims and tourists.
The parking lot will be able to accommodate 132 vehicles, 16 buses and 205 two-wheelers.
The heritage interpretation centre will provide assistance to tourists and pilgrims visiting Old Goa and will include facilities like hop-on hop-off, e-vehicle services, digital interpretation centre, cafeteria, support office room, security office room, etc.
The facilities will be completed by mid-November this year just ahead of the Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St Francis Xavier, which being from November 21 and will continue till January 5, 2025.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Shripad Naik informed that during the last Exposition in 2014 when he held independent charge of tourism ministry, he got Rs 102 crore for Old Goa, of which around Rs 7 crore works are still underway.
Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Tanavade said tourists visiting Goa do not leave without visiting the Old Goa churches.
“And for that, development of facilities for the tourists in Old Goa is important. We have 8 months for the facilities to be completed and I have faith that Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte along with his team will collaborate with the Rector of Bom Jesus Basilica Fr Patricio Fernandes and get the works completed ahead of the Exposition,” Tanavade informed.
“Better facilities attract tourists and I urge the contractors to build facilities of good quality,” he urged.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said when the PRASAD scheme was launched, a plan was chalked out with the help of Basilica Rector Fr Patricio Fernandes on the need for additional facilities and improvement of existing facilities.
“Initially, an estimate of Rs 41 crore and today, Rs 17.75 crore have been approved,” Khaunte said.
“We have got 8 months before the Exposition and we will coordinate with the Rector on the works which need to be completed before that,” the minister informed.
“The works have also been launched before the code of conduct will come into force,” he stated.
Rector Fr Patricio Fernandes expressed happiness that the Basilica of Bom Jesus was chosen under the PRASAD scheme and hoped that the facilities will benefit tourists and pilgrims.
GTDC Chairman Ganesh Gaonkar, Cumbarjua MLA Rajesh Faldessai, Tourism Director Suneel Anchipaka and others spoke.
