About

• Under the Sagarmala programme, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is developing a National Maritime Heritage Complex, a world-class facility at Lothal, Gujarat. 
• NMHC aims to showcase India’s rich maritime heritage from ancient to modern times using edutainment approach through latest technology and to spread awareness about India’s maritime heritage.
• NMHC will comprise a maritime museum, lighthouse museum, maritime theme parks, and amusement parks, etc.

Why in News?

• The Union Cabinet has approved the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal.

About Lothal

• Lothal was one of the southernmost sites of the Indus Valley civilization.
• It is located along the Bhogava river, a tributary of Sabarmati, in the Gulf of Khambhat.
• Lothal had the world’s earliest known dock, which connected the city to an ancient course of the Sabarmati river.
• The city was divided into upper town or citadel and lower town reflecting hierarchical town planning systems.
• Evidence of shell and bead making industry, metallurgy and terracotta art have been discovered here.
• Lothal holds the third highest number of seals out of all IVC sites.
• Lothal has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remains to be included on the tentative list of UNESCO.

Related Information

About Sagarmala Project

• The Sagarmala project seeks to develop a string of ports around India’s coast. The objective of this initiative is to promote “Port-led development” along India’s 7500 km long coastline.
• It aims to develop access to new development regions and enhance connectivity with main economic centres and beyond through expansion of rail, inland water, coastal and road services.
• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has been appointed as the nodal ministry for this initiative.
• To assist in implementation of the Sagarmala Programme, the Sagarmala Development Company Limited was incorporated in 2016 under the Companies Act, 2013 by the Ministry of Shipping.