India to Develop First Underwater Museum and Coral Reef at INS Guldar
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Name | India's first underwater museum and artificial coral reef |
| Location | Near Nivati Rocks, off Vengurla coast, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra |
| Key Structure | Decommissioned warship INS Guldar |
| Project Cost | ₹46.91 crore sanctioned by Union Tourism Ministry |
| Implementing Agency | Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) |
| Launch Date | June 11, 2025 (virtually attended by Maharashtra CM) |
| Ship Details | 1,120-ton Landing Ship Tank (LST), decommissioned in January 2024 |
| Environmental Prep | Undergone cleaning for safe submersion |
| Primary Objectives | Promote marine biodiversity, eco-tourism, underwater adventure tourism (scuba diving, submarine tours) |
| Ecological Impact | Artificial reef to rejuvenate marine life, support local fisheries |
| Expected Benefits | Boost coastal tourism, employment, marine conservation awareness, and educational value |
| Strategic Alignment | Supports Blue Economy, sustainable tourism, and maritime heritage |