Now Reading: Basilica issues safety advisory ahead of St Francis Xavier feast
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Basilica issues safety advisory ahead of St Francis Xavier feast
The Story in Brief
The Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa has issued a cautionary advisory for pilgrims and tourists ahead of the Novena and Feast of St Francis Xavier. Rector Fr Jovito D'Souza said preparatory work has been under way since 6 November, with safety instructions, barricades and restricted zones in place around the church premises and pandal area.
Visitors have been asked to cooperate with deployed personnel and volunteers and not to disregard safety arrangements or enter cordoned-off zones. The Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses the relics of St Francis Xavier, has not announced any closure or cancellation of visitor access but stressed caution is needed where work is ongoing.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The advisory signals that the Basilica expects a large influx of visitors during the Novena and Feast, requiring active crowd and safety management weeks in advance. Preparatory work, which began on 6 November, is the immediate source of risk the rector cites, not any structural issue with the UNESCO heritage building. The next step is for pilgrims to comply with the safety measures, which will remain in place through the feast period, though no closure or access cancellation has been announced.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
