A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Indian Coast Guard & Indian Navy with Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Ltd on July 2, 2023, in Gandhinagar for the planning, development, construction, and commissioning of a gallery on the theme “Evolution of Indian Navy & Indian Coast Guard” at the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) which is being constructed at the historic Indus Valley civilization region of Lothal (Gujarat).

The signing of the MoU took place in the presence of Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemical & Fertilizers, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways & Tourism and Shri Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways. The senior officers of the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy including Additional Director General Rakesh Pal, PTM, TM, were also present.

The Government of India is building the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at the historic Indus Valley civilization region of Lothal (Gujarat) under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The foundation stone for the NMHC project was laid by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in March 2019.

Comprising of a maritime museum, lighthouse museum, maritime theme parks, amusement park centres, etc., NMHC will showcase the maritime heritage of the country from ancient to modern times by adopting an edutainment approach using the latest technology to spread awareness about India’s maritime heritage.

It will have several innovative and unique features such as Lothal mini recreation to recreate Harappan architecture and lifestyle; four theme parks – Memorial theme park, Maritime and Navy theme park, Climate theme park, and Adventure and Amusement theme park; fourteen galleries highlighting India’s maritime heritage starting from the Harappan times till now; Coastal states pavilion displaying the diverse maritime heritage of states and UTs; among others.

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ABB/Anand