Asbestos roofing on the UNESCO-designated world heritage monument of Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa is now threatening to compromise its heritage status. The Basilica – popularly known as Old Goa Church and a major tourism-cum-pilgrim attraction – was built in 1605 in this village of Velha, east of the Goan capital of Panaji.
The Basilica of Bom Jesus (means ‘Good Jesus’) houses the mummified mortal remains of Saint Francis Xavier, the founder of Society of Jesus, who died en route to continental China on December 2, 1552.
When the construction was completed in 1605, the structure had a roof with red clay tiles from Mangalore. But today, it has a modern roof with asbestos sheets wedged together – compromising the heritage status. But there is no record of when the roofing changed.
The church was consecrated on May 15, 1605 (406 years ago) by archbishop Aleixo de Menezes. It was raised to the status of a Basilica by Pope Pius XII in 1946; and in 1986, the UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Monument. Senior ASI officials said the asbestos roofing existed when Goa was liberated in 1961. But locals insist that the original roofing was of red clay tiles.
After a fire on October 21, 2004 had destroyed a portion of the Basilica’s roof, the ASI replaced only that portion with original material. An August 10, 2010-dated ASI tender called for replacing the tiles and wooden rafter for re-use later. But nothing happened after that. “A high-level team was expected to inspect the site and take a decision. A committee has been formed to help put things in place of this world heritage structure,” regional director (South), ASI, SV Venkateshiah, said.
