the goan I network
MAPUSA
Since the popular Mapusa feast is being held in the backdrop of the recent blasts in churches in Sri Lanka, police have advised church authorities to install surveillance cameras in parking lot and around the place where the liturgy services will be conducted on the feast day.
Police are also contemplating on erecting watch-towers around the premises to keep vigil on the feast day.
“We have advised the church to install CCTV cameras at key places around the church and also to erect watch towers. Besides that we will also be deploying regular staff to man key areas around the church premises,” said Kapil Nayak, Mapusa PI.
Meanwhile, in an effort to minimize inconvenience to devotees and the public in general, the Mapusa Municipal Council has taken several measures to streamline the fair that lines up for the Milagres feast. The civic body has also decided to cancel the traditional Milagres dance this year since the code of conduct was in force.
In a major decision the civic body has resolved to discontinue the practice of erecting stalls at the fair on both sides of the road and hold it on only one side. Secondly, the duration of the fair has been reduced to just eight to ten days. The size of the stalls has also been restricted and a total 75 stalls will be allowed.
“This year the stalls for the fair will be erected only on one side of the road towards the church cemetery. The duration of the fair has also been reduced and will be held for eight to ten days,” said Ryan Braganza, Chairperson of Mapusa. The fair will begin from the border of the church cemetery and the whole road in front of the church will be left open for public. He said vehicular parking will be allowed near the church parking lot and at the open space near Ganesh visarjan at Bastora.
