Lothal’s 5,000-Year-Old Indus Valley Civilisation Legacy: Rs 4,000 Crore Project To Showcase India’s Maritime And Cultural History

The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) has announced an ambitious Rs 4,000 crore project aimed at redefining India’s maritime heritage, with a spotlight on the historic town of Lothal in Gujarat, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This initiative seeks to position Lothal as the centrepiece of India’s maritime history and transform it into a global tourist and cultural hub.

Union Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal stated that the project involves a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade, including the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC).

This complex aims to preserve and showcase India’s maritime legacy while promoting Lothal as an international destination.

Lothal, a prominent city of the ancient Harappan civilization dating back to 2600 BC, is renowned for its archaeological significance, including the discovery of the world's oldest man-made dockyard, over 5,000 years old.

As one of the most vital ports of the Indus Valley Civilization, Lothal facilitated trade with ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Persia.

"Around 5,000 years ago, India used to integrate the world through commercial activity, maritime trade, culture, and civilisation. The new tourist hub in Lothal will highlight and preserve the historical importance of India and showcase it to the world," Sonowal emphasised.

The NMHC will include a maritime museum depicting India’s shipbuilding and navigation history, waterfront developments featuring reconstructed ancient vessels, and advanced research facilities on maritime archaeology and conservation. 

Additional attractions include a Lighthouse Museum, an open aquatic gallery, and themed parks on naval history, climate change, and nature conservation.

Infrastructure upgrades will involve the construction of international standard hotels, theme parks, and enhanced inland waterways.

Phase 1A of the project, which will highlight India’s maritime trade legacy across states, is scheduled for completion by September 2025, with the full complex expected to be operational by 2029.

Approximately Rs 3,000 crore in private investment is expected to be mobilized through public-private partnerships (PPP), with several prominent hotel chains already expressing interest.

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