Gandhinagar: Speaking at the inaugural session of the Indian Maritime Heritage Conclave 2024 in New Delhi on Wednesday, chief minister Bhupendra Patel said that Gujarat aims to handle 2,000 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of cargo by 2047, when India envisages being a developed nation.
The CM said that to achieve this target, the state govt has focused on infrastructure development investment, greenfield ports development, modernisation and expansion. An official statement quoting the CM said that Gujarat has achieved the distinction of handling 38% of the country’s cargo. Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankar inaugurated the two-day conclave that is being organised by the Union ministry of ports, shipping and waterways.
Highlighting Gujarat’s ancient maritime heritage, the CM said that with the longest coastline of 1,600 kilometres, Gujarat has provided opportunities for trade, cultural exchange, and innovation via sea routes for thousands of years. He added that from bustling ancient ports to modern high-tech maritime infrastructure, Gujarat has become the first choice for global companies and investors. He also spoke about the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NHMC), which includes projects like a lighthouse museum, an open aquatic gallery and the like that are being constructed at the ancient port of Lothal.
Senior officials from relevant central ministries and representatives from various states also participated in this conclave, the statement said.
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NHMC a tribute to India’s maritime history: Sonowal
The development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal is set to serve as a monumental tribute to India’s ancient maritime history, bringing to life the technological advancements, trade routes, and cultural exchanges that our ancestors pioneered, Union Minister for Ports and Shipping Sarbananda Sonowal said on Wednesday. The Union Cabinet in Oct approved the development of the NMHC at Lothal in Gujarat. The project will be completed in two phases.
