India is on the verge of reclaiming its ancient maritime legacy with the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat. This ambitious Rs 4,500-crore project, nearing completion of its first phase with 65% progress, symbolizes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Virasat Bhi, Vikas Bhi” — marrying heritage preservation with modern development. The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Gujarat on September 20, 2025, to review the project and underline its significance for the nation’s maritime future.
Reviving Ancient Maritime Glory
Lothal, a key port city of the Indus Valley Civilization dating back 5,000 years, holds the world’s oldest known dockyard, discovered by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1954. This 215-meter-long dock connected the city to the Sabarmati River, enabling trade with ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and Egypt. Recent research by IIT Gandhinagar has used satellite imagery to trace ancient river channels, confirming the dock’s linkage and maritime function through marine microfossils and salt crystals found on the site.
World-Class Infrastructure Taking Shape
The sprawling 375-acre complex is designed to be a global maritime destination. Its centerpiece will be the tallest lighthouse museum in the world at 77 meters height, featuring an open gallery 65 meters above ground with spectacular panoramic views. The complex will house 14 galleries showcasing India’s maritime history from Harappan times to the present, complemented by four innovative theme parks—the Memorial Park, Maritime and Navy Park, Climate Park, and Adventure and Amusement Park.
Visitors will also enjoy amenities like a floating restaurant, a 100-room tent city resort, electric vehicle infrastructure for 500 cars, and the world’s largest underwater-themed open gallery. Importantly, the complex includes a Maritime University offering specialized maritime education and research, along with international student exchange programs, positioning India as a global hub in maritime scholarship.
Broader Maritime Ambitions
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Lothal is linked to wider maritime aspirations. On the same day, in Bhavnagar, he will launch India’s revitalized shipbuilding strategy under the “Samudra Se Samriddhi” program, with Rs 1.5 lakh crore worth of maritime MOUs to be signed. This demonstrates the government’s resolve to propel India into the top-five global shipbuilding nations by 2047.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel have expressed strong satisfaction with the project’s progress, highlighting its potential to boost tourism, maritime education, and industry collaboration. Once fully operational by 2028, the complex is expected to create 22,000 jobs and welcome 25,000 visitors daily, boosting economic development in Gujarat’s Bhal region.
The National Maritime Heritage Complex stands as a beacon of India’s rich maritime past and ambitious future, blending heritage with innovation to inspire generations to come. Modi’s upcoming visit promises to spotlight this transformative initiative, as India steers toward renewed maritime prominence on the world stage.