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.
MPT Deputy Chairman M Guruprasad Rai was asked about MPT's take on Viceregal Palace, he said it is in the Custom bound area, therefore outsiders cannot go inside. Further when questioned if MPT has any plan to develop, preserve this palace, Rai said, “As of now there is no such plan to develop this palace, but we can think of. There is a direction from the ministry to develop a facility for seafarers so we can think of this (Viceregal palace) one. Nothing wrong in that, but we have not decided yet. If the structure is strong enough we can consider it.”
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.
Savio Correia, Vasco-based Lawyer and Environmentalist, said, "Being a place of historic importance and keeping in view the increasing number of cruise vessels arriving at Mormugao Port, I feel that this building could be renovated by the State Government and thrown open to cruise passengers and other tourists and used not only as a museum but also as a place for sale of local handicrafts, etc".
"I understand that the building is proposed to be demolished by Mormugao Port Trust as part of coal handling expansion projects and for connectivity to NH 17B. If demolished, this unique and priceless piece of Goa's heritage will be lost forever," he added.
He argues that Viceregal Palace must be declared as an ancient monument and archeological site under the Goa Ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act and preserved, protected, and utilised to showcase Goa and its rich culture, history, and heritage.
Goa First NGO head Parshuram Sonurlekar also regrets the sorry state of the palatial structure. Goa First had moved a petition with the Department of Archives, Goa government to preserve this asset. “The Archives Department has visited the Palace only once and not conducted any further site inspection and was complaining that MPT is not coordinating with them regarding its preservation,” said Sonurlekar.
Goa First had also met Vijai Sardesai during his tenure as Archive Minister. But it's been more than 3 years and 3 different MLAs have raised this LAQ in the Assembly with no positive result. Efforts to contact officials from the Archives Department to know about the status of the palace turned futile.
Goa First requests the State government to protect this historic palace which has witnessed the World War 2.
The Chapel of Our Lady of Exile adjoining the Viceregal Palace is also decaying because of negligence, but the façade is in good condition. Religious ceremonies, including Holy Mass and litany, used to be celebrated within the precincts by Port employees and local residents until recently.
After the capital was shifted back to Panjim, the building was used as a hotel known as the “Palace Hotel '' patronised by sailors berthing at Mormugao Port as well as shipping offices. The property was renovated in 1865 coinciding with the development of the railway line and development of Mormugao Port. It temporarily housed the American Consulate that supervised the historic exchange of POWs between Japan and the United States during WWII. Austin R. Preston, the American Consul General in Lourenço Marques, was transferred temporarily to Mormugao, and joined by two Vice-Consuls from Bombay to oversee the operations, and had their office in this building. British secret agents who allegedly coordinated the mission to sink the Allied merchant vessels (on March 9, 1943) lived in this building as hotel guests.