National Maritime Heritage Complex

National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) is an under construction tourism complex near Lothal in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, India which will present the maritime heritage of India. The complex will have museums, amusement parks, educational institute, hotels and resort. It will also recreate Dholavira and Lothal cities in the complex.

History
The NMHC is being constructed near Lothal, an ancient maritime port city of Indus Valley Civillisation. The construction is being done under the Sagar Mala scheme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of Government of India. The masterplan was finalised in March 2019. The foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 March 2019. The project is being built in phases.

The NMHC is estimated to cost inr 35000000000 to inr 45000000000. The Government of Gujarat allocated land; built road, water supply and electricity lines; and contributed inr 1500000000 for internal infrastructure. The major ports funded inr 2090000000.

Architecture firm Hafeez Contractor served as the principal management consultant. The Indian Port, Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited was awarded the implementation work. The Phase 1A is being built by Tata Projects. The Phase 1A is expected to complete by March 2024.

Features
The NMHC will be spread over an area of 400 acre including 375 acre for the complex and 25 acre for the staff residential facilities. The National Maritime Heritage Museum will have 14 galleries depicting maritime history of India from the Harappan era to present.

Phase 1
Under Phase 1A, the National Maritime Heritage Museum with 5 galleries and a naval gallery will be built at cost of inr 7742300000. It will be spread over a area of 35 acre. Under Phase 1B, the rest of the National Maritime Heritage Museum galleries, Light House Museum, 5D dome theatre, gardens and other infrastructure will be built.

Phase 2
State pavilions depicting maritime heritage of each coastal state and union territory of India will be built. The Maritime Institute; four amusement parks including Maritime and Naval Theme Park, Monuments Theme Park, Climate Change Theme Park, Adventure and Amusement Theme Park; hotels and resort will be built under this phase. It will also to recreate Dholavira and Lothal cities as they were in ancient times.