In a historic step by the Government of India, the Indian Navy handed over Ex INS Guldar, a Landing Ship Tank (Medium), to Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Limited (MTDC) on 21 February 2025 to be converted into an underwater museum and artificial reef. This is the first initiative in India to use a decommissioned ship of the Indian Navy. 

The ship was handed over to MTDC at Karwar on an ‘as is, where is’ basis. MTDC has taken the ship under their charge to convert it into an underwater museum and artificial reef. The conversion will be undertaken by MTDC and will involve complete cleaning of the ship to remove any potential pollutants/ hazardous materials, ensuring environmental clearances as per guidelines for marine conservation, obtaining various NOCs, and scuttling the ship at Sindhudurg, ensuring all safety precautions.