Mumbai, May 21: Through the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), the retired Indian Navy warship "Ex-INS Guldar" has been successfully positioned on the seabed in the Nivti Rock area of Sindhudurg district, thereby bringing to fruition one of the country's most ambitious and unique submarine tourism projects. Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai announced that this project—being implemented in coordination with M/s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited—marks a significant milestone for India's tourism sector and is poised to emerge as a world-class marine tourism attraction.
Minister Shambhuraj Desai stated that this initiative marks the commencement of India's first integrated experiential tourism experience centered around a submarine. This tourism destination will offer a range of activities, including guided wreck diving and submarine experiences, 'Discover Scuba Diving' (up to 12 meters), expeditions for certified divers (up to 18 meters), advanced diving experiences (up to 30 meters), underwater photography tours, and opportunities for marine education and research. Information regarding diving slots, submarine bookings, and tourist amenities will be announced shortly through MTDC's official channels.
Minister Shambhuraj Desai stated that this ambitious project has gained momentum under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar. Furthermore, the project is being successfully implemented through the collaborative efforts of Minister of State Indranil Naik, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Tourism Department—Sanjay Khandare—and the Managing Director of MTDC, Nilesh Gatne (IAS). This ambitious initiative is being developed by MTDC under the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India's scheme for the "Development of Iconic Tourist Centers of Global Standards," specifically through the "Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)" program. For this project, the Central Government has sanctioned ₹46.91 crore, while the Government of Maharashtra has approved an amount of ₹112.46 crore.
The ex-INS Guldar was a Landing Ship Tank (LST) warship of the "Magar" class within the Indian Navy. After serving the nation for an impressive 39 years, it was decommissioned from the Indian Navy on January 12, 2024. The vessel was commissioned on December 30, 1985, at the Gdynia Shipyard in Poland. Measuring 83.9 meters in length, this vessel was actively deployed in amphibious warfare operations, troop and logistics transport, coastal security, and various naval training exercises. On May 19, 2026, through the agency of M/s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, the vessel was successfully positioned on the seabed at a depth of approximately 22 meters in the vicinity of Nivti Rock, off the coast of Sindhudurg. This specific site was selected following a detailed scientific study conducted by the Maharashtra Maritime Board and the National Institute of Oceanography; the study confirmed the absence of natural coral reefs in the immediate area, thereby ensuring that the project would not result in adverse environmental impacts. Minister Desai further stated that it has been certified that there are no adverse environmental impacts.
Prior to the scuttling, the vessel underwent a thorough environmental cleanup. The robust steel structure of the ex-INS Guldar will now serve as an artificial coral reef, thereby boosting marine biodiversity, coral growth, fishery resources, and ecological balance. This project envisions tourists traveling from the jetty to Nivati Rock via speedboat, boarding a barge stationed there, and subsequently observing the corals and marine life within the sunken vessel through submarine tours or scuba diving.
**Multifaceted Impacts of the Project**
This project is set to provide a significant boost to the tourism economy across the entire Konkan coastline, including the Sindhudurg district. The anticipated increase in tourist arrivals—both domestic and international—will help drive economic activity across local businesses, accommodation facilities, transportation services, the food industry, and general tourism services. From a long-term perspective, this project is poised to become a pivotal hub for local economic development, employment generation, and the growth of ancillary businesses.
The ex-INS Guldar project marks the development of a world-class submarine tourism experience in Maharashtra for the very first time. It will add a new dimension to the sectors of adventure tourism, scuba diving, underwater exploration, and marine tourism, thereby helping to establish Maharashtra's identity as a premier adventure tourism destination within the country. The warship, now resting on the seabed, will gradually evolve into an artificial coral reef over time, creating an environment conducive to marine biodiversity. It will serve as a protected habitat for various species of fish, marine flora, and microorganisms.
This initiative involves the eco-friendly and tourism-oriented repurposing of a warship that once served the Indian Navy, thereby paying tribute to the historical legacy of national service. Through this medium, the Navy's glorious history and maritime heritage will be effectively conveyed to the new generation. This project positions Maharashtra at the forefront of innovative and sustainable tourism initiatives. It will secure a place among the leading states implementing such initiatives. Furthermore, it will help establish a prominent international identity for India's marine tourism potential. This project will further strengthen the global standing of both Maharashtra and India in the fields of sustainable and innovative tourism.
It has been developed taking inspiration from world-class wreck diving sites such as the USS Oriskany in Florida (USA) and the HMAS Swan in Australia. This project is set to become India's first world-class underwater museum and artificial coral reef tourism initiative. Through a press release, they have also announced that this initiative has reached both domestic and international audiences.