Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal reviewed construction progress of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal and set July 2026 as the target for completion of Phase One. He directed officials to accelerate construction activities and ensure timely delivery of critical components including panels, mural work, ceiling fabrication and flooring, and stressed strict adherence to timelines and quality standards to operationalise the complex within the stipulated deadline. The minister also sought clarity on the revenue model to secure sustainable maintenance and long term viability.

Highlighting the project’s global dimension, the minister underlined the need for collaboration with neighbouring and maritime nations, including ASEAN states, to showcase shared oceanic heritage and historical linkages. India has signed 10 MoUs with Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, South Korea, UAE, Portugal, Vietnam, Oman, Israel and Thailand, and four more countries — Italy, France, Myanmar and Cambodia — are likely to sign MoUs to collaborate in developing the NMHC as a global centre of maritime history. Officials were asked to actively pursue such partnerships to enhance the complex’s international profile.

Inter ministerial coordination was urged to ensure effective execution and positioning of the complex as a major tourism and cultural hub, with closer collaboration directed between the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Tourism. Sonowal called for preparation of a comprehensive calendar of events in alignment with national and state tourism departments to drive sustained visitor engagement and high footfall. Emphasis was placed on delivering the visitor experience to world class standards.

Phase One A, targeted for completion by July, includes six museum galleries, the Lothal township, aquatic theming, common area theming, a jetty walkway and the display of Indian Navy artefacts. The subsequent Phase One B will involve an investment of about Rs 30 billion (bn) and will include eight additional museum galleries, a lighthouse museum, the Bageecha complex, Lothal–NI–VAV components and a 50-dome theatre among other attractions. Sonowal also reviewed maritime security in the Gulf of Straits and asked officials to take necessary steps for the safe passage of ships bound for India.