Government to Develop National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, Gujarat for an estimated cost of ₹4,500 Cr.

Source: The post is based on the article “Government to Develop National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, Gujarat for an estimated cost of ₹4,500 Cr.” published in PIB on 1st July 2023

What is the News?

The Central Government will be holding a meeting to review the progress in the construction of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC).

About National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC):

National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) is being developed at Lothal,Gujarat.

Developed by: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways under the Sagarmala programme.

Features: The complex will include the world’s highest lighthouse museum and world’s largest open aquatic gallery.

– It will also have several innovative and unique features such as Lothal mini recreation to recreate Harappan architecture and lifestyle; four theme parks – Memorial theme park, Maritime and Navy theme park, and Climate theme park.

Significance: It will be a one of its kind project to not only display India’s rich and diverse maritime heritage and also help Lothal to emerge as a world-class international tourist destination.

— This project will also provide tremendous job opportunities to the local people and will transform the socio-economic condition of the entire region.

What is Lothal?

Lothal was one of the southernmost sites of the Indus Valley civilization, located in the Bhāl region of what is now the state of Gujarat. The port city is believed to have been built in 2,200 BC.

The meaning of Lothal (a combination of Loth and (s) thal) in Gujarati is “the mound of the dead”.

– Note: The name of the city of Mohenjo-Daro (also part of the Indus Valley Civilisation, now in Pakistan) means the same in Sindhi.

Archaeologist SR Rao led the team which discovered Lothal.

Features: Lothal was a symbol of India’s maritime power and prosperity. It was also a thriving trade center in ancient times, with its trade of beads, gems, and ornaments reaching West Asia and Africa.

– It also had the world’s earliest known dockyard, connecting the city to an ancient course of the Sabarmati River.

Lothal was nominated in 2014 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its application is pending on the tentative list of UNESCO.