App to book quick access slot for Exposition likely

Panaji: Devotees attending this year’s Exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa are likely to benefit from a new app designed to simplify the pilgrimage process.
The Exposition committee is contemplating the launch of an app that will allow users to reserve a specific time slot to venerate the relics, eliminating the queue that sometimes took hours of waiting.
“This way, those wishing to venerate the relics can choose their time and book their slot in advance. They will get direct entry through a separate queue that will be formed for them. This will especially be of advantage to the pilgrims who visit the site only for a day,” said sources involved in the Exposition preparations.
TOI had reported on Sep 2 that this year, attendees will enter the Cathedral for the veneration using the main entrance instead of the side door. The separate queue of the app-booked slotted pilgrims is therefore most likely to be from the side door.
The Exposition committee is contemplating integrating accommodation bookings into the proposed app, as well. “It will display both paid hotels and free lodging options, making it easier for pilgrims to find and reserve accommodations. We are in the process of collating the information about hotels and accommodations in Old Goa to build a database for the app,” sources said.
However, this year will see a reduction in the number of tents available for accommodation. “In the past, we would set up six to eight tents but many free accommodations went unused. This time, only three tents — designated for men, women and families — will be set up. The remaining space will be repurposed for parking vehicles,” sources said.
In addition, a new space has been identified near the Kadamba plateau to accommodate pilgrims’ vehicles for parking.
The Exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier will begin on Nov 21.