File photo of Union Minister Sarvananda Sonowal. | Photo Credit: The Hindu
The first phase of the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal in Gujarat will be open to the public from September 2025, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarvananda Sonowal said.
“The entire project, which will be the world’s largest maritime museum, is expected to be completed by 2029, but the first phase will be open to people from September 2025,” Mr. Sonowal said in an interview. Hindu.
He said that international cooperation with more than 20 countries has been proposed for the development of the complex. These collaborations will lead to joint marine research activities, conservation of marine heritage, exchange of information, artefacts, technical know-how.
“It (NMHC) will be a center of learning and study and research on maritime issues globally,” he added, “here you will find valuable information related to maritime activities around the world in different civilizations”.
The minister said that it is estimated that the project will reach 25,000 daily and create 22,000 jobs. Now 65 percent of the first phase of the project has been materially progressed.
Excavations have revealed the world’s oldest known artificial dock, which was attached to the ancient course of the Sabarmati River at Lothal, 80 km from Ahmedabad. The site has been nominated to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Archaeologists believe the city was part of a major river system along the ancient trade route from Sindh to Saurashtra in Gujarat, according to the Gujarat Tourism website.
The Union Minister said the discovery of the dry dock proved that India was earlier one of the largest shipbuilders and also had a world-class ship repair facility. “High quality ships were being built in India and as a result Indian ships were able to complete successful voyages around the world. And it has integrated the world community not only through trade and commerce but also through cultural exchanges and pilgrimages.”
The project was approved by the Union Cabinet in October this year. It has also given in-principle approval for phase 1 b and 2 of the project according to the master plan by collecting funds from voluntary sources or contributions. It ordered that a separate society be established under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, administered by a Governing Council headed by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for future phases of development.
According to Mr. Sonowal, the government is trying to invite the private sector for the construction of the project. “It’s a big area, there will be a hotel, a garden and an amusement park.”
NMHC’s 375-acre masterplan is guided by Harappan town planning principles with the most important buildings in the ‘citadel’ located at the highest point of the site, according to a note shared by the Union Ministry of Shipping and Ports.
At NMHC, the National Maritime Museum will be the ‘Citadel’, while the central city will have a central garden and the lower town will include recreational theme parks, eco-resorts and hotels and museums.
Currently, major ports of India have committed a contribution of ₹ 209 crore for the development of galleries in Phase 1A of NMHC. And financial assistance has been received from the Government of Gujarat and the Ministry of Defense (Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard) for the development of NMHC.
Mr Sonowal said: “We have more than 176 maritime nations around the world, but among these nations we want to be the world leader.” He said that by 2030, India is aiming to be among the top 10 countries in various verticals like shipbuilding and ship repair, but the target is to be among the top five countries by 2047.
published – Dec 21, 2024 03:16 pm IST