The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat. This major project, aimed at preserving and showcasing India’s 4,500-year-old maritime heritage, will be executed in two phases.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the museum at Lothal will be the largest maritime heritage complex in the world.
Briefing the media after the Union Cabinet meeting, Vaishnaw said, “Today, the Cabinet approved the development of a National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal in Gujarat. The proposal aims to showcase India’s rich and diverse maritime heritage and create the largest maritime heritage complex in the world.”
The Cabinet has granted approval for the implementation of Phase 1B and Phase 2 as part of the master plan. Funding for these phases will be raised through voluntary contributions, with Phase 1B’s Light House Museum being funded by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL). A separate society, overseen by a Governing Council led by the Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, will be established to manage the development and operations of future phases.
The project is expected to create about 22,000 jobs, including 15,000 direct employment opportunities and 7,000 indirect jobs.
Once operational, NMHC is set to benefit a wide range of stakeholders, including local communities, tourists, researchers, government bodies, educational institutions, and businesses.
Currently, Phase 1A is under construction, with over 60% of physical progress completed and a planned completion date set for 2025. Both Phases 1A and 1B will follow the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) mode, while Phase 2 will involve land subleasing and public-private partnerships to transform NMHC into a world-class heritage museum.
Phase 1B will add eight more galleries, along with the Light House Museum, which is planned to be the tallest in the world. This phase will also feature a complex with parking for 1,500 cars, a food hall, and a medical center. Phase 2 will introduce Coastal States Pavilions, a maritime-themed eco-resort, a recreation of the Lothal city, and four theme-based parks.
