New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced a major boost to Gujarat’s heritage and cultural tourism sector, proposing the development of Lothal and Dholavira among 15 archaeological sites into vibrant experiential destinations as part of the Union Budget 2026–27.

Speaking on the theme of Heritage and Culture Tourism, Sitharaman proposed to develop 15 archaeological sites, including Lothal, Dholavira, Rakhigarhi, Adichanallur, Sarnath, Hastinapur, and Leh Palace, into vibrant, experiential cultural destinations.

The Finance Minister added that excavated landscapes will be opened to visitors through curated walkways and enhanced visitor experiences. “Excavated landscapes will be opened to the public through curated walkways. Immersive storytelling skills and technologies will be introduced to support conservation labs, interpretation centres, and guides,” she said.

The initiative is expected to strengthen heritage preservation while boosting tourism, employment, and local economies around these historically significant sites, including Gujarat’s globally renowned Harappan-era settlements of Dholavira and Lothal. DeshGujarat