Lok Sabha Question No. 5599 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-27
Subject: Promotion of Maritime Heritage and Culture
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Shri Naresh Ganpat Mhaske, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne, Shri Atul Garg, Shri Ravindra Dattaram Waikar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5599

ANSWERED ON 27.03.2026

## PROMOTION OF MARITIME HERITAGE AND CULTURE

5599. SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE: SHRI ATUL GARG: SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:

## पȅन , पोत पįरवहन और जलमागŊ मंũी

(a) whether the Government is promoting maritime heritage and culture to raise awareness about shipping history of the country, State-wise including Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, if so, the details thereof; (b) the objectives of such initiatives in fostering interest in maritime careers and marine industries; (c) whether any assessments have been made on benefits for local communities, tourism  andskill  development,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor; (d) the  mechanisms  put  in  place  to  monitor  the  effectiveness  of  maritime awareness programmes; and the  expected  impact  on  industry  participation,  heritage  conservation  and

- (e) economic opportunities in coastal regions of the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW)  has envisaged development of a National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat to showcase India's  maritime  heritage.  The  development  plan  of  the  NMHC  includes individual  coastal  States  pavilionsincluding  Maharashtra  to  present  their  maritime heritage and culture and also an inland waterways pavilion to depict the cultural and historical significance of river navigation system including those in Uttar Pradesh.

(b) The NMHC isintended to promote awareness of maritime heritage, provide a platform for exhibitions and stakeholders engagement and facilitate dissemination of knowledge relating to maritime activities and related sectors with a view to fostering interest in maritime careers and marine industries.

(c) As  per  projections,  the  NMHC  has  the  potential  to  generate  22,000  jobs including 15,000 direct and 7,000 indirect jobs across sectors such as construction and  infrastructure,  tourism  and  hospitality,  transportation,  local  trade  and  ancillary services.The project also includes development of a maritime research institute for maritime research and training for skill development in maritime sector.

(d) The NMHC society has been constituted and an institutional mechanism has been placed to monitor the effectiveness of the programmes undertaken by it. The mechanism consists of Governing Council headed by Minister in-charge of MoPSW, Steering Committee headed by Secretary of MoPSW and NMHC Board headed by Director General of NMHC Society.

(e) The project is envisaged to promote industry participation through partnerships  including  Public-Private  Partnership  (PPP)  mode  while  supporting heritage conservation and facilitating economic activity.  It is expected to contribute to  livelihood opportunities particularly through promotion of tourism and local crafts and services, thereby supporting inclusive development.

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