India’s submarine tourism dream is taking shape in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district, which is set to become home to the country’s first underwater museum. Planned off the coastline near the Nivati Rock formations, the ambitious project is located around 500 km from India’s financial capital, Mumbai. The initiative is expected to give a major boost to adventure and marine tourism in the Konkan region. Scroll on to know more about it.
India’s First Underwater Museum Is Coming To Maharashtra
According to a report by The Economic Times, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has successfully deployed the decommissioned Indian Navy warship, Ex-INS Guldar, off the coast of Sindhudurg district as part of India’s first underwater museum, artificial reef, and submarine tourism project.
The retired warship was lowered onto the seabed near the Nivati Rock formations on May 19 at a depth of nearly 22 metres. The operation was carried out in coordination with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited. Once completed, the project is expected to strengthen Maharashtra’s position as a major hub for marine and experiential tourism.
Ex-INS Guldar is a Magar-class Landing Ship Tank of the Indian Navy. It served the nation for almost four decades before being decommissioned in 2024. The vessel was first launched in Poland in 1985. It has since been used for amphibious operations, troop transport, coastal security and naval exercises. The ship underwent environmental cleaning and now acts as an artificial reef to support coral growth, marine biodiversity and fisheries resources.
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Here’s All You Need To Know About This
Before finalising the location, scientific studies were conducted by the Maharashtra Maritime Board and the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography. The assessments confirmed that the selected site had no natural coral reefs. Furthermore, it would have minimal environmental impact, making it suitable for the ambitious underwater tourism initiative.
Under the project, tourists will travel by speedboat from the jetty to Nivati Rock. They will access the site via barges for submarine rides and scuba diving experiences. Activities will include guided wreck diving, discover scuba diving up to 12 metres, certified dives up to 18 metres, advanced diving up to 30 metres, underwater photography and marine education programmes.
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Are you excited to see what India’s first underwater museum will look like? Let us know in the comments!
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons (representative image)
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Where is India’s first underwater museum being developed?
The project is being developed near the Nivati Rock formations in Sindhudurg district along the Konkan coastline.