The Phase I of the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal in Gujarat, would be completed and open for public from September 2025, Union Minister of Ports Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said.
“While the entire project, which would be the largest maritime museum in the world, is expected to be completed by 2029, the Phase I would be open to people from September 2025,” Mr. Sonowal said in an interview to The Hindu.
He said that international collaborations with more than 20 countries has been proposed for development of the complex. These collaborations will bring in Joint Maritime Research Activities, Preservation of Maritime Heritage, Exchange of Information, Artefacts, Technical know-how among other things.
“This (NMHC) would be centre for learning and study and research globally on maritime issues,” he said adding “Here you will discover precious information related to maritime activities across the world in various civilizations”.
The Minster said that the project is anticipated to have a daily footfall of up to 25,000 and would create 22,000 jobs. “At present, 65% physical progress for the phase 1A of the project has been achieved”.
Excavations have revealed the world’s oldest known artificial dock, which was connected to an old course of the Sabarmati River in Lothal, located 80 km from Ahmedabad. The site has been nominated to be enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Archaeologists believe that the city was a part of a major river system on the ancient trade route from Sindh to Saurashtra in Gujarat, according to the Gujarat Tourism website.
The Union Minister said that the discovery of the dry dock has proved that India used to be one of the largest ship builders and also had world class ship repair facilities. “The highest quality ships were being built in India and as a result Indian ships were able to complete successful voyages across the world. And this has not only integrated the world community through trade and commerce but also through cultural exchanges and pilgrimages”.
The Union Cabinet in October this year gave its nod to the project. It also accorded in-principle approval for Phases 1B and 2 of the project, as per the master plan, by raising funds through voluntary resources or contributions. It mandated that a separate society will be set up for development of future phases, to be administered by a Governing Council headed by the Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, under Societies Registration Act, 1860.
According to Mr. Sonowal, the government was looking at inviting private players for the development of the project. “It is a huge area, there would be hotels, gardens and amusement parks”.
The 375-acre masterplan of NMHC is guided by Harappan Town Planning Principles in which the ‘Citadel’ situated at the highest elevated point of the site houses the most important buildings, as per a note shared by the Union Ministry for Shipping and Ports.
At the NMHC, while the National Maritime Museum would be the ‘Citadel’, the Middle Town would include the Central Bagicha (Garden) and the Lower Town would consist of recreational theme parks, eco resorts and hotels and museotels.
At present, the Major Ports of India have committed contribution of ₹209 crore for the development of galleries in the Phase 1A of NMHC. And financial support has been obtained from the Government of Gujarat and Ministry of Defence (Indian Navy & Indian Coast Guard) for the development of NMHC.
Mr. Sonowal said: “We have got more than 176 maritime nations across the world, but among these nations we want to become the world leader”. He said that while the aim was for India to be among the top 10 nations in different verticals like ship building and ship repair by 2030, by 2047, the vision was to be among the top five.
Published – December 21, 2024 03:16 pm IST