Chief minister Pramod Sawant met Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday and urged him to increase the import and export of sugar and pharmaceuticals, among other products from Mormugao Port Authority (MPA). Sawant said that instead of exporting and importing from Nhava Sheva Port in Maharashtra, exporters and importers near Goa should using the facilities at MPA.
The chief minister also discussed other issues related to the state.
Sawant urged the Union minister to transfer the ruins of the 300-year-old Vice Regal Palace at MPA to state govt for restoration.
The Vice Regal Palace, also known as the ‘Old Palace Hotel’ at Mormugao harbour, is on MPA property. Sawant said that importers and exporters from Kolhapur and other areas near Goa can export and import from Goa. “Sonowal has assured me he will visit the state and after holding discussions he will work on state govt’s proposal,” Sawant said. Among other issues concerning MPA, Sawant discussed the process of transferring the ruins of the historic Vice Regal Palace to the department of archaeology.
“The transfer would facilitate the restoration and preservation of this historically significant site, ensuring its protection for future generations,” Sawant said.
Minister for archaeology, Subhash Phal Desai said that the Vice Regal Palace does not figure in the list of state historic places, and govt has initiated the process to identify new historic places in Goa. “To identify new historic places in Goa has commenced, but it will take time as state govt has to prove that it is a historic place. Vice Regal would figure in that list of new historical places. We will soon take over that place from MPA and restore it,” Phal Desai said. He added that he has written several letters to MPA to take up restoration. “MPA said that they will maintain the place, but there hasn’t been much progress. MPA has not taken up any restoration work of the Vice Regal Palace,” Phal Desai said.
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