The UNESCO-designated world heritage monument, the Basilica of Bom Jesus (meaning ‘Good Jesus’) was built in 1605. Roof over the world heritage monument compromises its antiquity.
The Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa that houses the mortal remains of Saint Francis Xavier has an asbestos roof that is threatening to compromise its heritage status.
The UNESCO-designated world heritage monument, the Basilica of Bom Jesus (meaning ‘Good Jesus’) was built in 1605. The completed structure had a roof with red clay tiles imported from Mangalore, besides huge wooden rafters, beams and girders. Now, its roof is laid with asbestos sheets and wedged together with crude U-shaped hooks and bolts — compromising the heritage status.
There is no record of when the asbestos roofing replaced the original roof. Senior Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials said the asbestos roofing existed when the Basilica was handed to them after the state’s liberation from the Portuguese in 1961. But parishioners insist that the original roofing was made of red clay tiles and not asbestos.
After a fire on October 21, 2004 destroyed a portion of the Basilica’s roof, the ASI replaced only that portion using available original material. An August 10, 2010-dated ASI tender called contractors to replace the Mangalore tiles and wooden rafters and stock them aside for re-use. However, even after nine months the asbestos roof continues to remain in place, violating the heritage structures act.
“A high-level team was expected to inspect the site and take a decision. A committee has been formed at the local level to help put things in place for this world heritage structure,” regional director (South), ASI, SV Venkateshiah, told DNA.
The Basilica which houses the mortal remains of Goa’s patron saint and the founder of the Jesuit order, St Francis Xavier is a major pilgrim cum tourist centre. It was elevated to UNESCO World Heritage status in 1986.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}