The solemn opening of the 18th Exposition of the holy relics of St Francis Xavier will finally begin at Old Goa on November 21 and will go on till January 5. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant while speaking to reporters in Old Goa on Tuesday has claimed that almost 98 per cent of the work related to the above event has already been completed. The Ribandar-Old Goa stretch road, a traditional route for most pilgrims from North Goa heading towards the Church, still remains far from cent per cent ready despite the November 17 deadline. Which means that devotees going from Panjim via this old traditional Ribandar road will definitely experience dust pollution and bumpy rides while heading towards this grand event at Old Goa. Why has the government not bothered to hotmix the fully damaged Ribandar road on time despite of knowing the dates of this year's Exposition? Wouldn't the government have repaired the same road stretch on top priority basis if someone like PM Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah was travelling via this road to attend the inaugural ceremony of the Exposition?
