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
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