Sindhudurg's Sunken Warship Wins Golden Banyan Award 2026 for Maharashtra Tourism

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Maharashtra's Ex-INS Guldar project, a decommissioned naval warship sunk off the Sindhudurg coast to create what is billed as India's first underwater museum, artificial reef and submarine tourism destination, has won the Golden Banyan Award 2026 at The Week Heritage Awards.

Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presented the award at a ceremony organised by The Week magazine at the Prime Ministers' Museum and Library in New Delhi on 27 October 2026. Neelesh Gatne (IAS), Managing Director of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), received it. Sindhudurg District Collector Trupti Dhodmise, MTDC Regional Officer Deepak Mane, Superintending Engineer Sanjay Patil, Aquatic Tourism Senior Manager Kshipra Bora and Chief Accounts Officer Jitendra Sonawane were among those present.

A warship turned reef

Ex-INS Guldar, a Magar-class Landing Ship Tank that served the Indian Navy for 39 years, was decommissioned on 12 January 2024. With help from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, the vessel was deployed near Nivati Rock off Sindhudurg on 19 May 2026 and now rests on the seabed at a depth of around 22 metres. Its steel hull is intended to act as an artificial reef, supporting marine biodiversity, coral growth and fishery resources.

The project is being developed by MTDC and the Maharashtra Tourism Department under the Ministry of Tourism's Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale scheme. The Centre has allocated ₹46.91 crore and the Government of Maharashtra has earmarked ₹112.46 crore.

Visitors will travel by speedboat from the jetty to Nivati Rock, board a barge at the site and then explore the wreck by submarine or on scuba dives. Planned experiences include:

  • Wreck diving and submarine experiences

  • Discover Scuba Diving at depths of up to 12 metres

  • Certified diver expeditions at depths of up to 18 metres

  • Advanced diving at depths of up to 30 metres

  • Underwater photography tourism

  • Marine education and research

The project takes its cue from established wreck-diving sites such as the USS Oriskany off Florida and HMAS Swan in Australia, and aims to become India's first internationally benchmarked underwater museum and artificial reef destination.

What they said

Maharashtra Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai called the award "an important milestone in Maharashtra's tourism development journey", adding: "The INS Guldar project goes beyond conventional tourism by combining maritime heritage with modern and immersive visitor experiences. It will open up new avenues for tourism in Sindhudurg and further strengthen the district's tourism potential."

Sanjay Yadav (IAS), Secretary (Tourism), Government of Maharashtra, said: "The award is significant as it encourages initiatives that preserve maritime heritage, promote environmentally responsible tourism and offer visitors distinctive experiences."

For Gatne, the payoff is local: "It is expected to benefit the hospitality sector, accommodation providers, transport operators, tour guides and other tourism-related services, generating wider economic opportunities for the region."

Images: courtesy of MTDC / Concept PR