Gujarat to showcase India’s maritime history at famous Indus Valley site

India’s maritime history goes beyond 5,000 years. At the start of the 3rd millennium BCE the Indus Valley civilisation residents used to trade with Mesopotamia. With a view to showcase the country’s rich and varied maritime history, the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterway is building the National Maritime Heritage Complex.

The location of NMHC has been aptly chosen and it is coming up fast in Gujarat’s Lothal region which was part of Indus Valley civilisation.

Lothal located 76 kilometres from Ahmedabad, interestingly, was a prominent city of the Indus Valley and archaeologists discovered the oldest man-made dockyard here which is more than 5,000 years old.

Describing NHMC as a major project under Union Government’s Sagarmala scheme, the Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that it has an edutainment approach. He said: “By using the latest technology, maritime heritage will be projected in a user-friendly manner to spread awareness among people.”

To be built in three phases, the project will be executed at a cost of Rs.3,000 crore.

Phase 1A will include the building of a part of the museum complex with five galleries and a naval gallery which will be used by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. The Phase 1B envisages completion of the museum including the remaining galleries, Light House, 5D Dome Theatre, Bagicha Complex and other infrastructure.

Phase 2 will see construction of the States pavilion, Lothal City, Maritime Institute including hostel, eco resorts, maritime and naval theme park, climate change theme park, monument theme Park and adventure and amusement Park.

The foundation stone of NHMC which was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2019 aims to enable visitors to embark on an engaging exploration of India’s past and present maritime power through themed galleries, interactive and immersive exhibits and digital experiences.