Govt approves development of Lothal National Maritime Heritage Complex

The Union Cabinet, in a meeting held on 9 October 2024 and chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat.  The Heritage Complex to be developed at the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation site of Lothal will be developed in two phases. 

The National Maritime Heritage Complex is being developed as an international tourist destination. It would display India's maritime heritage from ancient to modern times and raise public awareness about it.

Who is developing the National Maritime Heritage Complex?

The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is developing the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal in collaboration with the Gujarat state government under its Sagarmala scheme.

It is being built on around 400 acres of land in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat at a cost of around Rs 4500 crore. Work on the complex started in March 2022.

Phases of the National Maritime Heritage Complex

The National Maritime Heritage Complex is being developed in two phases-Phase I&II.

The Phase I has been subdivided into two phases, IA and IB.

Phase IA

• Six galleries of the National Maritime Heritage Complex will be built.
• It will include India’s largest Navy & Coast Guard gallery, displaying Naval artefacts like INS Nishank, Sea Harrier war aircraft, UH3 helicopter, etc.).
• It will also include a replica model of Lothal township surrounded by the world’s largest open aquatic gallery and a jetty walkway.

Phase IB 

• Eight more galleries of the complex will be built. 
• It will have the world's tallest lighthouse museum, funded by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships.
• A Bagicha complex will also be developed, including amenities for the visiting public.

Phase 2 

• Respective Coastal State /Union Territories will develop their own pavilions at the complex.
• Four theme-based parks—a Memorial theme park, a maritime and Navy theme park, a Climate theme park, and an Adventure and Amusement theme park—will be built.
• Recreation of Lothal City in real time will be done so as to recreate Harappan architecture and lifestyle.

About Lothal

Lothal is the only known port town of the Indus Valley Civilization. 

• The 4500-year-old archaeological site is located along the Bhogava river,  which is the tributary of Sabarmati river.
• Lothal is considered to be one of the oldest port towns with an operating dock system in the world.
• The Lothal in Gujarati means ‘mound of the dead '. 
• It was discovered in 1952 by archaeologist SR Rao of the Archaeological Survey of India.