A cruise through India's maritime heritage

Construction of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal is a fitting tribute to the country's seafaring past, says Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal. In an exclusive chat with Kinjal Shah, Sonowal and Principal Project Consultant Hafeez Contractor discuss the reasons for selecting Lothal and the journey so far

- Kinjal Shah

The ambitious National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) project in Lothal received the green light from the Union Cabinet on October 9. Located in Dholka taluka of Ahmedabad district, Lothal houses the earliest man-made dockyard, dating back to around 2600 BCE, discovered during excavations from 1954 to 1959. "Lothal is, therefore, the birthplace of India's rich maritime heritage. It is thus fitting that the National Maritime Museum is established here, honouring the legacy of our ancient seafarers," says Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal. The project will be completed in two phases.

Principal Project Consultant Hafeez Contractor, elaborating on the design, says, "The project is envisioned as a global landmark celebrating India's unparalleled maritime and Harappan legacy. The design fully embodies the complexity and grandeur of the project, which spans 375 acres and is poised to accommodate a daily visitor footfall of 25,000 people."