NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday posted on social media that developing a National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal “will create new opportunities in the world of culture and tourism.” Union Cabinet on Oct 10 decided to develop NMHC at Lothal in Gujarat.
Modi also shared a link to a write-up by him on Linkedin on the subject where he said, “This new project will surely ignite enthusiasm among history buffs and tourists alike.The complex will bring ancient Lothal back to life as a mini-replica of the dock city. At the heart of this complex will stand an iconic lighthouse museum, soaring 77 metres high-set to be among the world’s tallest of its kind. Various immersive galleries will make the experience even better.”
Cabinet 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. 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 and waterways, under Societies Registration Act, 1860.
Phase 1A will have NMHC museum with six galleries, including an Indian Navy and Coast Guard gallery envisaged to be one of the largest in the country with external naval artefacts such as INS Nishank, Sea Harrier war aircraft, and UH3 helicopter, and a replica model of Lothal township surrounded by open aquatic gallery, and jetty walkway.
Phase 2 will be developed through land-subleasing or Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to establish NMHC as a world-class heritage museum. “Construction of Light House Museum under Phase 1B will be funded by directorate general of lighthouses and lightships.”
Describing Lothal, situated near Ahmedabad, as “the world’s oldest dockyard, was once a vibrant melting pot of civilisations, ideas, and, of course, goods. … The docks, built thousands of years ago, highlight the spirit of ingenuity our ancestors possessed, Its advanced engineering and urban planning leave modern observers in awe, offering a window into the brilliance of our past,” Modi added, “Regrettably, in the decades following independence, we allowed many aspects of our history – and many of our historical sites – to fall into neglect, with our rich past fading from memory. However, the last ten years have seen a change in this trend.”