National Maritime Heritage Complex:
The Union Cabinet recently approved the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat.
- Under the Sagarmala programme, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways is developing the NMHC, a world-class facility at Lothal, Gujarat.
- NMHC is set to become an international tourist destination, showcasing India’s maritime heritage from ancient to modern times through an edutainment approach utilizing the latest technology.
- The project will be completed in phases:
- Phase 1A will have an NMHC museum with 6 galleries, which also includes an Indian Navy & Coast Guard gallery envisaged to be one of the largest in the country with external naval artifacts, a replica model of Lothal township surrounded by an open aquatic gallery, and a jetty walkway.
- Phase 1B will have NMHC museum with 8 more galleries, Light house museum which is planned to be the world’s tallest, Bagicha complex (with a car parking facility for about 1500 cars, a food hall, a medical centre, etc.).
- Phase 2 will have Coastal States Pavilions (to be developed by respective coastal states and union territories), Hospitality Zone (with maritime theme eco resorts and museuotels), Recreation of real-time Lothal City, Maritime Institute and hostel and 4 theme-based parks (Maritime & Naval Theme Park, Climate Change Theme Park, Monuments Park, and Adventure & Amusement Park).
- Phases 1A and 1B of the project are to be developed in Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode and Phase 2 of the project will be developed through land subleasing/ PPP to establish NMHC as a world-class heritage museum.
- A separate society will be set up for the development of future phases, to be governed by a Governing Council headed by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways under the Societies Registration Act, 186
- This society will manage the implementation and operation of the NMHC.
