The Maharashtra government is set to transform a decommissioned Indian Navy landing ship, INS Guldar, into a maritime and adventure tourism destination. The initiative aims to create a unique underwater scuba diving experience in Sindhudurg district, boosting tourism and local economic growth.

INS Guldar, a Kumbhir-class landing ship, was decommissioned in January 2024 after nearly four decades of service. The ship, originally built at the Gdansk Shipyard in Poland and commissioned in December 1985, has a displacement of 1,120 tonnes and measures 83.9 meters in length. Under this project, the vessel will be sunk at a designated location off the Sindhudurg coast, creating an artificial reef that will enhance marine biodiversity and attract diving enthusiasts.

According to Atul Patne, Maharashtra’s Principal Secretary for Tourism, the Indian Navy is currently towing the ship from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Karwar, after which the state government will move it to Vijaydurg. There, the vessel will undergo berthing and thorough cleaning at the Maharashtra Maritime Board’s port before being grouted at Nivati rocks or another suitable location in Sindhudurg district. The process is expected to be completed within two months.

The underwater tourism project is expected to increase footfall in the Konkan region and generate employment opportunities. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, in his June 2023 Budget speech, announced plans to develop a world-class scuba diving centre in Sindhudurg, featuring coral sighting as a key attraction. The ₹20 crore project is projected to create jobs for approximately 800 people.

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) initiated the proposal in June 2023, requesting a decommissioned ship from the Indian Navy. After site inspections at the Indian Institute of Scuba Diving and Aquatic Sports in Tarkarli, the Navy approved the transfer in February 2024.

This initiative aligns with global trends, where countries like the United States, Australia, Canada, and several European nations have successfully used decommissioned naval ships to boost underwater tourism.

Maharashtra has previously attempted to repurpose naval vessels for tourism. In 2018, the state government approved a project to convert INS Viraat, a former Indian Navy aircraft carrier, into a maritime tourism destination. The ₹852 crore proposal included plans for a maritime museum, virtual galleries, adventure sports, and a training centre for merchant navy crew. The ship was supposed to be anchored at Nivati rocks, but the project was abandoned after INS Viraat was scrapped.

INS Viraat, originally commissioned as HMS Hermes in the British Royal Navy in 1959, played a significant role in the 1982 Falklands War before joining the Indian Navy in 1987. It served for 27 years before being decommissioned in 2017.

The conversion of INS Guldar into an underwater attraction marks a significant step in Maharashtra’s tourism development strategy. By creating a unique scuba diving destination, the state aims to enhance marine biodiversity, attract adventure enthusiasts and generate employment in the coastal region. If successful, this initiative could position Maharashtra as a leading maritime tourism hub in India.