Team Goemkarponn
DELHI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant today said that he explored the process of transferring the ruins of the historic Viceregal Palace to the Department of Archaeology, Government of Goa in his meeting with Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways in Delhi.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was speaking to media after meeting Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, in New Delhi.
“We deliberated on key matters concerning the Mormugao Port Trust and explored the process of transferring the ruins of the historic Viceregal Palace to the Department of Archaeology, Government of Goa,’ said Sawant
He further said that this transfer would facilitate the restoration and preservation of this historically significant site, ensuring its protection for future generations.
The Viceregal Palace in Mormugao Harbour area, which is in a dilapidated condition, bears a high heritage value and if the authorities had preserved the structure the site, it could have turned into a tourist attraction.
The structure now falls in the property of Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) but authorities too are disinclined towards repurposing it for commercial gains.
Designed by Jesuit architects, the oldest standing non-religious building in Mormugao, Viceregal Palace alias Old Palace Hotel was constructed sometime between 1702 and 1705.
History says Portuguese had planned to shift the capital of Goa from Panjim to Mormugao around 1685 during the tenure of Dom Francisco de Távora, then Governor and Viceroy of Portuguese India, to escape the threat posed by the Marathas.
This long dormant asset of Goa is unique architecturally as the four-storey structure was carved out from a hill. There are very old statues of Mother Mary, St Francis Xavier and several other historical artifacts in the building that need immediate preservation and protection.
