Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reviewed the progress of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal in Gujarat, via video conferencing. During the event, he stated that India's maritime heritage is one of those important topics that hasn't been widely discussed because it has been ignored. He stated that colonialism hampered our maritime prowess and that we will reclaim our lost ancient glory.
He said, "The shackles of colonialism impeded our maritime prowess... We will restore Dholavira and Lothal's glory," news agency ANI reported.
PM Modi also stated that rapid progress is being witnessed in this mission, "We're seeing rapid progress in this mission".
The complex, work which started in March, is being developed at a cost of around Rs 3,500 crore, said official statement.
The NMHC is being developed as a one-of-its-kind project to not only display India's rich and diverse maritime heritage but to also help Lothal emerge as an international tourist destination, as per a statement issued by the Prime Minister's office (PMO).
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A Lothal miniature recreation of Harappan architecture and lifestyle will be one of its many novel and distinctive features, along with four theme parks: the Memorial Theme Park, the Maritime and Navy Theme Park, the Climate Theme Park, and the Adventure and Amusement Theme Park, as per the statement.
"It will also have the world's tallest lighthouse museum, fourteen galleries highlighting India's maritime heritage starting from the Harappan times till date and coastal states pavilion displaying the diverse maritime heritage of states and Union territories among others," the statement read further.
Lothal, one of the important cities of the Harappan civilization, is famous for having the oldest dockyard ever built. According to the statement, Lothal's maritime heritage complex is an appropriate tribute to the city's historical past and heritage.