India Sinks Retired Warship To Build First-Of-Its-Kind Underwater Naval Museum

India has successfully submerged its decommissioned naval ship INS Guldar off the coast of Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, marking the creation of the country’s first underwater warship museum, artificial coral reef and submarine tourism project.

The ship now rests about 20 to 22 metres below sea level near the Nivati Rock formations.

Once operational, the site will allow tourists to explore a real former Indian Navy warship underwater through scuba diving, guided tours and submarine rides.

Officials say this is the first project of its kind in India and Asia combining naval heritage with marine tourism.

INS Guldar, a Kumbhir-class landing ship, served the Indian Navy for nearly four decades. It was formally decommissioned on January 12, 2024.

In February 2025, the Indian Navy transferred the vessel free of cost to the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) for conversion into an underwater attraction.

Before being sunk, the ship was fully cleaned and all hazardous materials were removed to make it safe for underwater use and to support marine life growth.

According to officials, the submersion was completed near Vijaydurg on May 19. Expert teams worked for nearly 36 hours to carefully place the vessel on the seabed at the designated location.

The project is being developed by MTDC under the Maharashtra government, with guidance from state leadership including Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai, and support from Sindhudurg Guardian Minister Nitesh Rane and Tourism Minister of State Indranil Naik.

Once the site becomes operational, tourists will be able to take part in scuba diving expeditions led by certified PADI divers.

They will also be able to see marine life developing around the wreck, including fish, coral growth, and underwater vegetation. The ship is expected to slowly turn into an artificial reef.

For people who cannot dive, MTDC is also developing a submarine tourism facility. This will allow visitors to view the underwater warship and surrounding marine ecosystem safely without entering the sea.

MTDC Managing Director Nilesh Gathane said the project will give tourists a chance to explore a retired warship underwater while also helping preserve maritime history and support marine conservation.

Officials said the project will boost scuba diving tourism, create jobs for local coastal communities, and strengthen adventure tourism in the Konkan region.

It is also expected to promote sustainable use of marine resources through artificial reef development.

The full project is expected to be operational within around one and a half years.

At present, the ship has already been placed on the seabed, and further development work is underway to build tourism infrastructure and ensure safe visitor access once operations begin.

References: Hindustan Times, Deccan Herald