Ports contribute to development of world-class NMHC
Twenty-six projects, worth Rs.22,700 crore, are under development in Gujarat as part of the 74-project, an investment of Rs.57,000 crore, Sagarmala programme in the state.
Thirty-three projects worth more than Rs.25,000 crore are under implementation while 15 projects, worth Rs.9,000 crore, have been completed, said the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in project update on 2 July 2023.
The update came with Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s review of the project process of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC), Lothal in Gandhinagar.
The review meeting was held along with Bhupendrabhai Patel, Chief Minister, Gujarat, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Tourism, Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
An MoU was signed during the meeting with Ministry of Defence (Indian Navy & Coast Guard) for development of a Naval gallery, “The Journey of Indian Navy & Coast Guard” inside NMHC complex.
Sonowal said that the National Maritime Heritage Complex will showcase India’s rich and diverse Maritime Heritage.
NMHC is one of the major projects of Sagarmala Programme under MoPSW and will be the world’s biggest Maritime Museum complex.
“NMHC will act as a centre for learning and understanding India’s diverse maritime history and is being built in such a way that the common man of India can easily understand its history,” said Sonowal.
The Gujarat Government has allocated 375 acres of land for the project; Additional 25 acres land for development of staff quarters; 4 laning of road from State Highway till NMHC project site which is ongoing; Narmada water supply from about 25 kms which has already been completed; Laying of transmission lines of about 17 kms and funding the setting up of 66 kV GIS substation which is under progress and contribution of Rs.150 Crore for development of basic internal infrastructure.
Major Indian ports are contributing Rs.209 crore to development of NMHC on about 400 acres with an estimated cost of Rs.4,500 crore. Funding from public and private institutes or organizations and CSR for the project.
Project status:
Construction of a 4-lane road of 1.58 kms from Saragwada village up to the project site is on the verge of completion. Water supply line of 25 kms and water tank of 10 lakh litre capacity has been completed. Physical progress of phase 1A is more than 30%.
Gallery tenders for first 5 galleries have been floated and for naval gallery and Lothal town is under final stage of preparation. Special pink stone quarries from Jodhpur have been identified and tied up for NMHC facade works.
Connections with various state departments and institutes for artefact in the museums have been established.
NMHC is being developed as a first of its kind in the country dedicated to the legacy of Maritime Heritage of India, it will not only showcase India’s rich and diverse maritime glory but will also highlight the robust maritime history and vibrant coastal tradition of our country at one place that would uplift the image of India’s Maritime Heritage in the international forum. Fiinews.com
