Maharashtra to Get India’s First Underwater Museum Near Sindhudurg Coast

Sindhudurg, 21st May 2026: Maharashtra is set to become home to India’s first underwater museum and integrated submarine tourism experience, with the retired Indian Navy warship “Ex-INS Guldar” successfully installed on the seabed near Nivati Rock in Sindhudurg district.

The ambitious marine tourism project is being developed by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) in coordination with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). Maharashtra Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai said the project is expected to place Maharashtra prominently on the global marine tourism map.

According to the minister, the project will introduce India’s first integrated experiential underwater tourism destination, offering guided wreck diving, submarine experiences, scuba diving for beginners up to 12 metres, certified diver missions up to 18 metres, advanced diving experiences up to 30 metres, underwater photography tourism, and marine education and research opportunities.

Information regarding diving slots, submarine bookings and tourist facilities will soon be announced through MTDC’s official platforms, he said.

Desai stated that the project gained momentum under the guidance of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. He also credited Minister of State Indranil Naik, Tourism Department Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Khandare and MTDC Managing Director Nilesh Gatne for their contribution to the project’s implementation.

The project is being developed under the Central government’s “Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)” scheme for iconic tourism destinations. The Union government has approved Rs 46.91 crore for the initiative, while the Maharashtra government has sanctioned Rs 112.46 crore.

Ex-INS Guldar was a “Magar”-class Landing Ship Tank (LST) warship of the Indian Navy. After serving the nation for 39 years, the vessel was decommissioned on January 12, 2024. Originally commissioned at the Gdynia Shipyard in Poland on December 30, 1985, the 83.9-metre-long ship was used for amphibious warfare operations, transportation of troops and logistics, coastal security and naval exercises.

On May 19, 2026, the vessel was successfully installed nearly 22 metres below sea level near Nivati Rock off the Sindhudurg coast through the efforts of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. Officials said the location was selected after detailed scientific studies conducted by the Maharashtra Maritime Board and the National Institute of Oceanography confirmed that the area did not contain natural coral reefs and would not face adverse environmental impact.

Before the scuttling process, the vessel underwent extensive environmental cleaning. Officials said the ship’s strong steel structure is now expected to function as an artificial coral reef, encouraging marine biodiversity, coral growth, fish habitats and ecological balance.

Tourists visiting the project will travel by speedboat from the jetty to Nivati Rock and then access the underwater attraction through submarines or scuba diving expeditions to observe marine life and coral formation around the warship.

Officials believe the project will provide a major boost to Sindhudurg’s tourism economy and the broader Konkan coastal region. Increased tourist inflow from India and abroad is expected to generate business opportunities for hotels, transport operators, restaurants and tourism service providers while also creating local employment and allied economic activities.

The project is also expected to strengthen Maharashtra’s position as a leading destination for adventure and marine tourism in India. Over time, the submerged warship is likely to evolve into a thriving artificial reef ecosystem supporting marine plants, fish species and microorganisms.
Officials said the initiative also serves as a tribute to the Indian Navy’s legacy by repurposing a retired warship into an environmentally sustainable tourism attraction. The project aims to preserve and showcase India’s maritime heritage to future generations while promoting sustainable tourism practices.

Inspired by internationally renowned wreck-diving destinations such as USS Oriskany in Florida, USA, and HMAS Swan in Australia, the Sindhudurg project is expected to emerge as India’s first globally benchmarked underwater museum and artificial reef tourism destination.

MTDC officials have invited tourists, scuba divers, marine researchers, students, underwater photographers and adventure enthusiasts from India and abroad to experience the unique underwater attraction once operations begin.