PANAJI
The State government has constituted Functional Areas and appointed its heads to oversee preparations for the decennial exposition of St Francis Xavier's sacred relics.
The FAs will be tasked with assisting the 'Exposition Secretariat', headed by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, for the smooth execution of the exposition slated from November 21, 2024, to January 5, 2025
"The respective FA heads shall ensure that all the works related to their areas are taken up and expedited at the earliest including proper inter-functional Area coordination and coordination with the Church Authorities," reads a statement issued by the Department of Information & Publicity.
IGP Omvir Singh will oversee Traffic Management, Traffic, and Law and Order while North Goa Collector Sneha Gitte will manage Administration, Coordination, and Protocol. Infrastructure and Services will be the responsibility of Nitin Sinai Nevrekar, Chief Engineer (PWD), while Media and Publicity will be handled by Dipak Bandekar, Director of the Department of Information & Publicity.
Levinson Martins, Commissioner of Labour and Employment, will be in charge of Waste Management and Sanitation. Finance Management will be overseen by Vikas Naik Gaunekar, Additional Secretary (Finance). Information Technology and Accreditation will be managed by Praveen Volvotkar, Managing Director of ITG. The medical arrangements will be coordinated by Rupa Naik, Director of Health Services, and Ashutosh Apte, Director of Administration (PWD), will handle Disaster Management and Transport.
In collaboration with the Church, the government will soon launch a web portal to facilitate pilgrim registration, which will help with accommodation and other support services. CM Sawant has assured that the highest standards of safety and security will be implemented, including special facilities for seniors and differently-abled attendees.
