India’s first underwater sea museum to come up in Pondicherry

Puducherry aka Pondicherry is one of the most unique beach destinations in South India; and soon, much to the delight of discerning tourists, it will have another feather in its hat.
News has it that underwater tourism will be promoted off the shoreline of Puducherry for the first time in India. In order to accomplish this objective, a minesweeper vehicle named INS Cuddalore will be deployed in the seabed 7 km from the coast of Puducherry in waters of no more than 26 m in depth. The minesweeper has served for more than 30, 000 nautical miles in the last 30 years till now. The Indian Navy has consented to give away the minesweeper so as to promote tourism. It will set a record by becoming the first underwater museum that would allow sea divers to visit the site.


Reportedly, this development will enhance the marine biodiversity and help the fishing industry. President of PondyCan, Probir Banerjee, a NGO, told the press that once the marine organisms will begin arriving at the underwater museum site, life forms at different levels will be present for the tourists to witness.
This will supposedly improve the marine biodiversity and give a push to the fishing industry. The Indian Navy has agreed to donate INS Cuddalore in order to promote tourism. Besides, focus can be given in promoting underwater activities like scuba diving and snorkelling. To accomplish this, a passage for the divers will be made.

INS Cuddalore is quite a massive vessel measuring 12 m (width) and 60 m (length). On the sea surface, the concerned authorities are planning to deploy 3 m radius water buoys that will help in taking visitors for boat rides.