Sarbananda Sonowal chairs the 2nd Governing Council meeting of the National Maritime Heritage Complex Society, Lothal
On 11 September 2026, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal chaired the 2nd Governing Council meeting of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) Society and reviewed progress at Lothal, Gujarat, where Phase 1A is about 82% complete.
Summary
Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal chaired the 2nd Governing Council meeting of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) Society on 11 September 2026 and reviewed the project at Lothal, Gujarat. Phase 1A has reached about 82% physical progress against a revised completion target of 31 October 2026. Thirteen countries, including Portugal, the UAE, Vietnam, the Netherlands, Denmark, Oman, Germany, the Republic of Korea, Italy and Singapore, have signed MoUs to collaborate, with talks under way towards 35-plus partnerships. Later phases will add a Lighthouse Museum with the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships and a Maritime Research Institute with the Indian Maritime University, while ASI excavation at Lothal is 70% done. Lothal, an Indus Valley Civilization site, has the world's oldest known artificial dock, connected to an ancient course of the Sabarmati river; the Union Cabinet approved the NMHC in October 2024.
Key facts
- Meeting
- 2nd Governing Council, NMHC Society — 11 Sep 2026, chaired by Sarbananda Sonowal
- Phase 1A
- ~82% physical progress; target 31 Oct 2026
- Global partners
- 13 countries signed MoUs; aim 35+
- Later phases
- Lighthouse Museum (DGLL), Maritime Research Institute (IMU)
- Excavation
- ASI excavation at Lothal 70% complete
- Lothal
- Indus Valley site — world's oldest known artificial dock
- Approval
- Union Cabinet, October 2024
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC), reviewed by its Governing Council on 11 September 2026, is coming up at Lothal in which state?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Gujarat
The NMHC is being developed at Lothal, Gujarat, by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
How many countries had signed MoUs for collaboration on the NMHC, Lothal, as reported at the 2nd Governing Council meeting in September 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 13
Thirteen countries have signed MoUs, with discussions under way towards a pipeline of 35-plus partnerships.
Consider the following: 1. Lothal, an Indus Valley Civilization site, has the world's oldest known artificial dock, connected to an ancient course of the Sabarmati river. 2. The 2nd Governing Council meeting of the NMHC Society in September 2026 was chaired by the Union Minister of Culture. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. Lothal's dock is the world's oldest known artificial dock; the meeting was chaired by Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.