The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has taken a significant step towards launching India's first integrated submarine tourism destination. The project involves the deployment of a transparent glass-decked tourist submarine, Triton Deep View 24, which will take 24 tourists and two crew members 22 meters deep into the sea to explore an artificial marine museum formed by a scuttled naval ship off the Sindhudurg coast. The submarine, manufactured in the United States, is expected to begin operations from December 2027 onwards.
Project Milestones and Timeline
MTDC Managing Director Neelesh Gatne stated that until the submarine arrives, trained and guided scuba divers will be able to view the underwater ship with assistance from the state's scuba diving institute at Tarkarli. Once the submarine is operational, tourists will travel 12 nautical miles into the sea via a speedboat, from where the submarine will descend into the depths. The project moved closer to reality after MTDC successfully scuttled the decommissioned naval vessel ex-INS Guldar off the Sindhudurg coast, marking a major milestone.
Features of the Submarine Tourism Experience
The Triton Deep View 24 is a 26-seater battery-operated submarine capable of underwater viewing and slow-speed marine exploration. The attraction will include guided wreck diving, introductory scuba experiences up to 12 meters, certified diving up to 18 meters, advanced dives up to 30 meters, underwater photography, and marine education and research programmes. The retired Indian Navy warship was placed on the seabed near Nivati Rocks in Sindhudurg district as part of a larger plan to develop an underwater museum, artificial reef, and submarine tourism experience inspired by international wreck-diving destinations such as Florida's USS Oriskany and Australia's HMAS Swan.
Funding and Cost Details
According to official approvals cited by MTDC, the Centre sanctioned Rs 46.91 crore for the initiative in November 2024, while the Maharashtra government granted revised administrative approval for Rs 222.46 crore in December 2025. The submarine itself will cost Rs 112 crore. Sources indicated that the final ticketing price for tourists will be decided based on various factors such as maintenance and crew costs.
Environmental and Conservation Aspects
The decommissioned ship will serve dual purposes: as an underwater heritage museum and as an artificial reef expected to support marine biodiversity over time. MTDC stated that marine experts and agencies, including the Maharashtra Maritime Board and the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), were involved in scientific assessments to ensure the vessel's deployment does not cause adverse ecological impact. The vessel, formerly INS Guldar, is a Poland-built Kumbhir-class landing ship tank (LST) commissioned into the Indian Navy in December 1985 and decommissioned on January 12, 2024 after nearly four decades of service.
Access and Booking Information
Tourists are expected to access the site through an integrated marine circuit. Under the proposed model, visitors will travel from the jetty to Nivati Rocks by high-speed passenger boats, board a barge, and then experience the underwater site either through guided scuba dives or aboard a tourist submarine. The tourism corporation said booking details and operational timelines for submarine rides and diving slots would be announced later through official channels.
Economic Impact and Positioning
The project has been positioned as both a tourism and conservation initiative. MTDC noted that over time, the scuttled vessel is expected to develop into an artificial reef, creating habitat for fish, marine vegetation, and microorganisms while also offering a controlled underwater tourism experience. Tourism officials believe the initiative could provide a fresh economic push to the Konkan coast, generating demand for local transport, accommodation, boating services, and adventure tourism-related employment in Sindhudurg. The project is being executed in coordination with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) and aims to position Maharashtra as a global underwater tourism destination, diversifying the state's tourism offerings beyond beaches and heritage circuits. It is being developed under the Centre's Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale scheme.
