India’s National Maritime Heritage Complex Approved in Gujarat, Project to Create 22,000 Jobs

The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light for the establishment of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat. This ambitious project will be carried out in two phases, with Phase 1B and Phase 2 receiving in-principle approval. Funding for the construction of the LightHouse Museum under Phase 1B will be provided by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL).

To facilitate the development of future phases of the project, a separate society will be established. This society will be governed by a Governing Council headed by the Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, operating under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. Phase 1A of the project is already underway, with over 60% physical progress achieved and a targeted completion date of 2025. Phases 1A and 1B will be developed using the EPC mode, while Phase 2 will involve land subleasing/PPP arrangements to establish NMHC as a world-class heritage museum.

The NMHC project is expected to create around 22,000 jobs, including 15,000 direct employment opportunities and 7,000 indirect employment prospects. The development, management, and operation of NMHC at Lothal, Gujarat will be overseen by the newly formed society, ensuring the successful implementation of this significant heritage initiative.

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