Context:

The Union Cabinet has approved the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.

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• The project will be completed in two phases. Phase 1A of the project is under implementation with more than 60% physical progress and is planned to be completed by 2025, while Phase 1B and Phase 2 have been accorded in-principle approval by the Union Cabinet. 
• Phases 1A and 1B of the project are to be developed in EPC mode and Phase 2 of the project will be developed through land subleasing/ PPP to establish NMHC as a world-class heritage museum.
• A separate society will be set up for the implementation, development, management, and operation of NMHC, which is to be governed by a Governing Council headed by the Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. 

About NMHC

• As per the vision of the Prime Minister to showcase 4,500 years old maritime heritage of India, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterway (MoPSW) is setting up a world-class National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal. 

NMHC is planned to be developed in various phases: 

• Phase 1A: NMHC museum with 6 galleries, including a large Indian Navy & Coast Guard gallery showcasing naval artefacts like INS Nishank, Sea Harrier aircraft, and a UH3 helicopter. Also features a replica of Lothal township, an open aquatic gallery, and a jetty walkway.
• Phase 1B: Expansion of the NMHC museum with 8 more galleries, development of the world’s tallest lighthouse museum, and the Bagicha complex offering parking for 1,500 cars, a food hall, and a medical centre.

                  Construction of the Light House Museum will be funded by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL).

Phase 2: Coastal States Pavilions by respective coastal states, a maritime-themed eco-resort, real-time recreation of Lothal city, a maritime institute with a hostel, and 4 theme-based parks (Maritime & Naval, Climate Change, Monuments, and Adventure/Amusement).

About Lothal 

• It is the only port-town of the Indus Valley Civilization. It is also known as Manchester of the Indus Valley Civilization.
• Lothal is a combination of two words – ‘Loth’ and ‘thal’, which in Gujarati means ‘the mound of the dead.’
• Lothal is located along the Bhogava River, a tributary of the Sabarmati River.
• The excavation started from February 1955 to May 1960 by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Excavations have revealed the following from the site only port-town.

• The world’s oldest known artificial dock, which was connected to an old course of the Sabarmati River.
• the citadel or upper town
• the lower town
• the bead factory 
• the warehouses
• the drainage system.
• rice husk
• fire altars 
• painted jar 
• modern day chess 
• terracotta figures of horse and ship 

Lothal was a vital and thriving trade centre in ancient times, with its trade of beads, gems and valuable ornaments

The Lothal site was nominated for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage Site in April 2014, and its application is pending on the tentative list of UNESCO.