India, May 20 -- After repeated delays last year due to heightened security alerts during 'Operation Sindoor' and the early arrival of the southwest monsoon, the decommissioned Indian Navy vessel, INS Guldar, was finally successfully submerged off the Vijaydurg coast in Sindhudurg district Tuesday evening; paving the way for development of India's first underwater warship museum and artificial coral reef project, and one of Asia's largest marine tourism initiatives of its kind.

Led by Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), the ambitious project aims to transform the retired naval warship into an underwater museum, scuba diving attraction, and artificial reef ecosystem. It is expected to promote marine tourism, preserve naval...