The windswept ruins of Dholavira, silent witnesses to a civilisation that thrived nearly 5,000 years ago, may soon speak more clearly to the modern traveller. The Union Budget has proposed a major upgrade of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kutch, aiming to turn the ancient Harappan city into an immersive destination where history can be experienced rather than merely observed.
Under the plan, visitors will no longer just walk past stone walls and reservoirs. Carefully designed pathways, interactive storytelling and technology-enabled interpretation centres are set to guide tourists through the lives, engineering skills and urban planning of the Indus Valley civilisation. The idea is to help people understand how Dholavira’s inhabitants survived and prospered in one of India’s most unforgiving landscapes.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while outlining the proposal, said excavated areas would be opened up with structured walkways, trained guides and on-site conservation labs. The approach, she noted, would allow greater public access without compromising the protection of fragile remains. Dholavira is among 15 archaeological sites across the country identified for similar development that blends heritage conservation with education and tourism.
Situated on Bet Island in Gujarat’s Kutch district, Dholavira is regarded as one of the most sophisticated urban centres of the Harappan era. Archaeologists have uncovered a remarkably planned city, complete with water management systems that allowed it to flourish despite scarce rainfall and extreme conditions. These discoveries have steadily drawn scholars and tourists alike.
Better roads have already changed the site’s fortunes. The recently completed 278-km national highway linking Ghaduli to Santalpur has significantly reduced travel time, with a striking 30-km stretch cutting through the White Desert. Popularly known as the “road to heaven,” it has become an attraction in its own right, especially for photographers heading towards Dholavira.
Tourism numbers have also been lifted by the annual Rann Utsav at Dhordo, just a short distance away. Officials estimate that around three lakh visitors have travelled to Dholavira during the current tourist season, which begins around Diwali and runs till the end of February. Local businesses say the increased footfall has brought new economic opportunities to the region.
Gujarat Tourism has already started upgrading basic infrastructure at the heritage site. Roads have been improved, lighting installed and footpaths laid to make movement easier for visitors. Authorities are also planning a heritage village near Dholavira, envisioned as a cultural hub with themed gardens, shopping spaces, historical displays and eateries designed to extend tourists’ stay.
For residents, the announcement brings both hope and impatience. Jilubha Sodha, sarpanch of Dholavira village, was quoted by an English national daily saying that the community welcomes the focus on the site and surrounding areas but wants faster action. “The intention is good, but the work is moving slowly because of different hurdles,” he was quoted, suggesting that a dedicated special purpose vehicle could help speed up decisions and execution.
If the plans move ahead as promised, Dholavira could soon offer visitors more than just a glimpse of ancient ruins. It could become a place where India’s deep past is narrated in ways that feel immediate and alive — inviting people not just to see history, but to walk through it.
Also Read: Dholavira from Gujarat gets UNESCO’s World Heritage Site tag https://www.vibesofindia.com/dholavira-from-gujarat-gets-unescos-world-heritage-site-tag/
