Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, has set a target of July 2026 for completing Phase 1 of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat. Emphasizing the importance of meeting deadlines, Sonowal directed officials to expedite construction activities, including panels, mural work, ceiling fabrication, and flooring. He highlighted the project’s global significance and called for collaboration with neighboring and maritime nations to showcase shared oceanic heritage and historical ties with India.
Highlighting India’s rich maritime legacy, Sonowal expressed commitment to developing NMHC as a world-class destination under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He stressed the need for inter-ministerial coordination, particularly with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism, to position NMHC as a prominent tourism and cultural hub. Sonowal also emphasized the importance of preparing a comprehensive calendar of events to drive visitor engagement and footfall, in alignment with national and state tourism departments.
The first phase of the project, Phase 1A, slated for completion by July this year, includes the development of six museum galleries, the Lothal township, aquatic theming, common area theming, a jetty walkway, and the display of Indian Navy artifacts. The subsequent phase, Phase 1B, will involve an investment of around Rs 3,000 crore and feature eight additional museum galleries, a lighthouse museum, the Bageecha complex, Lothal–NI–VAV components, and a 50-dome theatre, among other attractions. Once finished, NMHC is expected to become a global hub for maritime history, tourism, and cultural engagement, aligning with India’s vision of heritage preservation and economic growth.
