**Summary:**
On September 3, 2025, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Adm Dinesh K Tripathi visited the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat. The visit included a tour of the NMHC, naval exhibits, heritage artifacts, a review of construction progress, and interactions with project stakeholders. CNS also visited the Varuna Naval Complex and the archaeological site at Lothal.
The NMHC, a 400-acre project developed by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways with support from the Government of Gujarat and the Indian Navy, aims to showcase India's maritime legacy and naval evolution. The complex will feature immersive galleries, including one dedicated to the Indian Navy.
During the visit, CNS toured the warship Nishank, the IL38 SD Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft, Naval helicopters, the Sea Harrier fighter aircraft, and viewed naval artifacts such as AK176 GM, 4.5inch GM, and ZIF 101 SAM Launcher. Heavy artifacts on display included missile models P21, BrahMos, engine models ICE, GT, Underwater Chariot, and the Sea Eagle missile system.
RAdm Sathish Vasudev, Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat, Daman and Diu Naval Area, and Cdr Ranjot Singh, Officer-in-Charge, NMHC Lothal, briefed CNS on the progress of Phase 1A, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The newly constructed Varuna Naval Complex will serve as an administrative and residential facility for Naval personnel monitoring the project and maintaining the Naval artifacts.
CNS met with Commodore Doraibabu, Deputy Director, Maritime Heritage Society (MHS), and representatives from Indian Ports Rail and Ropeways Corporation Limited (IPRCL) and Tata Projects Limited. He commended the collaboration between the Navy and stakeholders and encouraged continued momentum. CNS also visited the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) site at Lothal, highlighting its ancient dockyard and maritime trade links dating back approximately 4,000 years.
Key Entities Referenced
Adm Dinesh K Tripathi: Chief of the Naval Staff
National Maritime Heritage Complex: Maritime museum project at Lothal, Gujarat
Lothal, Gujarat: Location of the National Maritime Heritage Complex and an ancient archaeological site
Ministry of Defence: The ministry under which the Chief of Naval Staff operates
Indian Navy: The naval force contributing to the NMHC project and preserving maritime heritage
RAdm Sathish Vasudev: Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat, Daman and Diu Naval Area
Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways: Government body developing the National Maritime Heritage Complex
Varuna Naval Complex: Administrative and residential facility built by the Indian Navy at the NMHC site.
Ministry of Defence
CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF VISITS NATIONAL
MARITIME HERITAGE COMPLEX AT LOTHAL,
GUJARAT
Posted On: 03 SEP 2025 6:41PM by PIB Delhi
Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, visited the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC)
at Lothal, Gujarat, on 03 Sep 2025. The visit included a comprehensive tour of the NMHC, a visit to key
naval exhibits and heritage artefacts, a review of construction progress, interaction with project stakeholders,
and a visit to the Varuna Naval Complex.
CNS also visited the historic archaeological site at Lothal, reaffirming the Indian Navy’s connection to India’s
rich maritime heritage.
The NMHC at Lothal is a landmark project being developed by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and
Waterways, with the support of the Government of Gujarat and the contribution of the Indian
Navy. Spread over 400 acres, it will be one of the largest maritime museums in the world. The project aims to
showcase India’s rich seafaring legacy and its naval evolution, with immersive galleries including one
dedicated to the evolution of the Indian Navy.
During his visit, CNS was given a walkthrough tour of the warship Nishank, the IL-38 SD Maritime
Reconnaissance aircraft, Naval helicopters including the UH-3H, deck-based fighter aircraft Sea
Harrier, and a range of naval artefacts such as AK-176 GM, 4.5-inch GM, ZIF 101 SAM Launcher.
Heavy artefacts on display include missile models (P-21, BrahMos), engine models (ICE, GT),
Underwater Chariot, and Sea Eagle missile system.
CNS was briefed by RAdm Sathish Vasudev, Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat, Daman and Diu Naval Area,
along with Cdr Ranjot Singh, Officer-in-Charge, NMHC Lothal, on the progress of Phase 1A, which is
expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
The CNS also visited the newly constructed Varuna Naval Complex, built by the Indian Navy as an
administrative and residential facility at the NMHC site. The Naval personnel stationed there will closely
monitor the project's progress and maintain the Naval artefacts. He met with the senior officials associated
with the ongoing project including Commodore Doraibabu, Deputy Director, Maritime Heritage Society
(MHS), and representatives of Indian Ports Rail and Ropeways Corporation Limited (IPRCL) and Tata
Projects Limited. Describing NMHC as a “living testimony to India’s maritime past, present, and
future", CNS commended the synergy between the Navy and stakeholders, praised their efforts, and
encouraged the team to maintain momentum.
CNS also visited the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) site at Lothal, which is renowned for its ancient
dockyard, bead workshops, and maritime trade links with Mesopotamia and Egypt dating back nearly 4,000
years. He emphasised that Lothal’s maritime legacy continues to inspire the Indian Navy’s vision in the 21st
century.________________________________________________________________
VM/SPS 175/25
(Release ID: 2163432)