Government to Develop National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, Gujarat for an estimated cost of ₹4,500 Cr.

Under the Sagarmala programme, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is developing a National Maritime Heritage Complex, a world-class facility at Lothal, Gujarat. NMHC would be developed as an international tourist destination, where the maritime heritage of India from ancient to modern times would be showcased and an edutainment approach using the latest technology would be adopted to spread awareness about India’s maritime heritage.

In this line, an onsite project progress review meeting will be held on 2nd July 2023 at Lothal, Gujarat. The project will be reviewed by Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, the Chief Minister, of Gujarat; Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways and AYUSH; Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers; Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Tourism; and Shri Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The maritime complex will include world’s highest light house museum, world’s largest open aquatic gallery, India’s grandest naval museum and is envisaged to be one of the biggest international tourist destinations in the world.

The boost to the tourism potential through this project will also augment the economic development of the region.

The complex, work which started in March 2022, is being developed at a cost of around Rs 4500 crores. It will have several innovative and unique features such as Lothal mini recreation to recreate Harappan architecture and lifestyle; four theme parks – Memorial theme park, Maritime and Navy theme park, Climate theme park and Adventure and Amusement theme park; fourteen galleries highlighting India’s maritime heritage starting from the Harappan times till now; Coastal states pavilion displaying diverse maritime heritage of states and UTs; among others.