Special ferry from Panaji to Old Goa for Exposition: CM

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday announced a special ferry service from Panaji to Old Goa for pilgrims during the 45-day Exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier. He also appealed to people to refrain from travelling in their own vehicles and to instead use the direct bus services to Old Goa from Panaji, Margao, Ponda and Mapusa. A timetable of the buses will be released soon, he said.

For the first time at the Exposition, pollution-free electric buggies and e-rickshaws will also be used, the chief minister said.

Ports minister Aleixo Sequeira said the ferry service from the state capital to Old Goa will begin at 6am from Nov 21 and will continue through the day and night. “Four ferry boats will be allotted for the Exposition and will ply from the wharf opposite Vidyut Bhavan in Panaji,” he told reporters.

Sawant held a meeting to review preparedness for the 45-day decennial Exposition at Old Goa and said 98% of works are complete. He was taken around to see the entry and exit points and all the facilities for pilgrims. Exposition commissioner Sandip Jacques told reporters that civil works are almost complete except for the repair of the road between Ribandar and Old Goa, which will be completed by Wednesday.

At least 600 police personnel will be deployed at Old Goa every day to ensure safety, security, and smooth traffic flow during the Exposition, the chief minister said.

Several amenities have been made available for pilgrims. Besides the cottages at the Pilgrim Village, barracks for police and fire personnel with kitchen blocks have been built, besides toilets. A special waterproof hanger has been built where walking pilgrims can stay overnight.

The Pilgrim Village, inaugurated by Sawant on Tuesday, will provide free accommodation to pilgrims. The bamboo cottages are equipped with fans and lights, including an inverter light so that there is no blackout when power supply fails. The cottages also have beds and phone charging points.

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