National Maritime Heritage Complex • Lothal

India’s Flagship Maritime Museum & Cultural District

A 400+ acre, multi-phase destination weaving Harappan Lothal with India’s oceanic story—immersive galleries, a 77m Lighthouse Museum, naval aircraft & warship courtyard, and family experiences.

Latest: Phase-1 window ~ Dec 2025 Grand Opening Target: 2028

Explore the Vision Download Brochure

What is NMHC & why it matters

The National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) is India’s flagship maritime museum and cultural destination under development at Lothal in Gujarat—one of the world’s earliest known port cities from the Harappan (Indus Valley) civilization. Planned as a multi-phase project across roughly over 400 acres, NMHC will bring together immersive galleries, a reconstructed Harappan township, a 77 Meter high landmark Lighthouse Museum, coastal state pavilions, outdoor naval/aviation exhibits, research spaces, and family-friendly attractions.

The complex is being developed by India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) with the Indian Ports Association (IPA) as nodal agency and IPRCL (Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Ltd.) as executing agency. Tata Projects Ltd. is building Phase-1A on an EPC (engineering–procurement–construction) basis.

As of September 2025, Phase-1A is reported as targeted for completion in Dec 2025, with high-profile reviews—including by the Chief of the Naval Staff—highlighting on-site naval and aviation artefacts such as INS Nishank, IL-38 SD and Sea Harrier. Dates and scopes can shift; always check official updates before you travel.

Explore NMHC Galleries

From Harappans to Indian Navy — India’s maritime story in 14 themed galleries.

Passive income opportunities near NMHC and Dholera

Why NMHC Is a Golden Opportunity for Real Estate Investors

NMHC at Lothal is a large, nationally promoted cultural anchor. The government notes over 22,000 jobs tied to the project’s build-out, which typically lifts local demand for stays, food, transport, and services.

Layer in Dholera’s semiconductor fab under construction by Tata Electronics + PSMC (₹91,000 crore; ~50,000 WSPM), the near-finish Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway (NH-751), and Dholera International Airport progressing toward its government-stated Dec 2025 completion window, and you’ve got a rare stack of cultural + industrial + connectivity drivers inside one catchment.

If you invest in Residential or Commercial plots near NMHC and Dholera, you can potentially grow your investment by 10× in the next 5 years — while building stable passive income through short-stay and monthly rentals.

Passive Income & Rental Opportunities because of Dholera and NMHC:

Short-stay (Airbnb)

Short Term Rental income with AirBnB.

PG / Rooms (Monthly)

PG and Rooms on Monthly rental for lower salary workers.

1–3 BHK & Villas

1BHK-3BHK and Villas for Monthly Rentals for executives working in Dholera

Guest Houses

Guest Houses for visitors of NMHC, Lothal.

Hostels / BnB

Bed n Breakfast concept Hostels for backpackers.

Why Lothal?

Lothal is where archaeology, engineering and maritime history overlap. The Harappans engineered a sophisticated dockyard and interconnected waterways here, positioning Lothal as a trade nexus thousands of years ago. Building a modern maritime complex a short drive from the archaeological site makes narrative sense: visitors can experience the ancient port city and then see India’s broader maritime story across millennia in a contemporary museum setting.

Lothal Town (Recreation)

Harappan street-life, water all around, evening shows, stepwells.

Open Aquatic Gallery & Jetty

Jetty-style walkway around the central water body.

Walk-through Warship & Aircraft

INS Nishank, IL-38 SD, Sea Harrier—hands-on naval story.

Boating Loop

Calm ride with audio stories about routes, ports, and shipbuilding.

Lighthouse Museum (proposed)

77m tower, VR, sound-and-light; viewing gallery ~65m.

5D Dome Theatre (planned)

200-seat dome for seasonal shows—monsoon science, routes flythrough.

Phasing & Delivery

EPC

Phase‑1A — Core Museum Footprint

First six galleries (incl. large Naval & Coast Guard), Lothal town features, initial public realm. Contractor: Tata Projects. Target: Dec 2025.

EPC

Phase‑1B — Remaining Galleries & Landmarks

Complete museum galleries, Lighthouse Museum, 5D Dome, landscape amenities. (DGLL indicated as investor for Lighthouse.)

PPP / Land Sub‑leasing

Phase‑2 — Pavilions, Hospitality & Parks

Coastal state pavilions, museotels, eco‑resort, research institute, and multiple themed parks. Grand opening target for full complex: 2028.

FAQs — Plan your visit & timing

Operational details (tickets, hours) are announced closer to opening. Save this page — we’ll keep it updated.

Official Brochure

When will NMHC open to the public?

Official guidance indicates a December 2025 Phase‑1 completion window, with inauguration and public access following thereafter.

Exact address / location?

National Maritime Heritage Complex, Lothal, Saragwala, Gujarat 382230 (near the archaeological site).

Distance from Ahmedabad / AMD airport?

About ~80 km by road (typically 1.5–2 hours). With the Ahmedabad–Dholera Expressway, the run time is expected to drop.

How to reach by train (Lothal–Bhurkhi)?

Lothal–Bhurkhi station is ~6 km from the site. Use an auto/cab or pre‑booked shuttle for the last mile.

Parking at NMHC?

Visitor parking is part of the plan. Capacities and charges will be confirmed at opening.

Which galleries arrive in Phase‑1?

Orientation & Oceanic Mythologies, Harappans, Post‑Harappan & Climate, India–Greco‑Roman, Special Exhibitions, and the large Naval & Coast Guard gallery.