The world’s oldest aircraft carrier, INS Viraat is planned to convert into the first maritime museum and marine adventure centre. The idea of renovating the retired ship into a museum was approved by the Maharashtra state cabinet.
The facilities of the ship cum museum would include adventure activities, sailing, scuba diving, and marine training for merchant sailors. The location would be Sindhudurg at Nivati Rocks off the Malvant Coast. This is one of the seven carriers to be converted into a tourist attraction.
Since the approval from the cabinet ministers has been received, the government will now reach out to the defence ministry for the permission. Other features would include audio-visual programmes and a virtual hall.
Till 2012, the ship was used as a museum ship in South Mumbai and then it was sold off as dump in 2014. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra said that further developments would be discussed with the private investors on public private partnership basis.