Maharashtra is set to develop India’s first underwater museum off the coast of Sindhudurg district in the Konkan region. The ambitious marine tourism project is being developed near the Nivati Rock formations, around 500 kilometres from Mumbai, and is expected to become a major attraction for adventure tourism and scuba diving enthusiasts.
As part of the initiative, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation has deployed the decommissioned Indian Navy warship INS Guldar into the Arabian Sea. The retired vessel was lowered onto the seabed near Nivati Rock at a depth of nearly 22 metres on May 19 in coordination with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.
The project aims to combine underwater tourism, artificial reef development and marine conservation. Officials believe the underwater museum will strengthen Maharashtra’s position as a growing destination for experiential and coastal tourism while creating new economic opportunities in the Konkan belt.
Ex-INS Guldar served the Indian Navy for nearly four decades before being decommissioned in 2024. Originally launched in Poland in 1985, the Magar-class Landing Ship Tank was used for amphibious operations, troop movement, naval exercises and coastal security missions. Before being submerged, the vessel underwent environmental cleaning to ensure it would safely support marine ecosystems underwater.
Authorities stated that the ship is expected to function as an artificial reef, encouraging coral growth, marine biodiversity and fisheries development in the surrounding waters. Scientific studies conducted by the Maharashtra Maritime Board and the CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography confirmed that the selected site had no existing natural coral reef systems and would have minimal ecological impact.
Under the tourism plan, visitors will travel by speedboat from the jetty to the Nivati Rock area and access the underwater attraction through barges, scuba diving expeditions and submarine-style tourism experiences. Planned activities include guided wreck diving and beginner scuba diving sessions up to 12 metres deep, offering tourists a rare opportunity to explore an underwater naval museum in India.