INS Gomati finds a new dock — at Lucknow’s upcoming Naval Museum

According to the officials, recently, a joint on-spot survey was conducted by senior officials of the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department and senior naval officers to work out the logistics of transportation.

The museum will showcase relics from the decommissioned INS Gomati. As per the recent meetings, sources said that a TU-142 Naval aircraft and an SK-42B helicopter are also being relocated to the museum for display.

Once logistics are worked out, said sources, the two aircrafts would be transported from INS Rajali, the Indian Naval Air station in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu.

“INS Gomati was decommissioned in May 2022 after 34 years of glorious service.The relics of the ship with the war insignia of Chattar Manzil will be displayed at Gomati Nausena Shaurya Smarak in Lucknow,” informed a senior government officer. “The project includes a Nausena Sangrahalay displaying information about our naval history and heroes and will also have a Nausena Shaurya Vaatika, an open-air museum, displaying the remnants of mast, anchor etc from the ship along with a TUV aircraft,” the officer said.

The project is being built at the total cost of Rs 23 crore, to be spent on its construction besides the curation, the officer added.

Principal Secretary, Tourism, Amrit Abhijat said: “The UP Tourism Department initiative with active support and vision of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Navy, aims to motivate the youth to learn and join the Indian Navy, and will also act as a unique tourism experience.”

Abhijat was part of the team which had done the site inspection a few days back.

According to the officials, 20 per cent of the physical work on the ground has been finished, with foundation, plinth and main structural framework being completed. The work for finishing the electrical, fire and solar installation is ongoing, said the officials.

Work on the open-air museum will commence next, followed by the transportation of naval artifacts in the project’s next phase. “The museum will celebrate the nation’s maritime heritage and naval courage through an immersive, state-of-the-art experience. It is being developed by the Department of Tourism and Culture as a tribute to the Indian Navy’s valour, discipline and contribution to the nation’s security and global maritime legacy,” said an officer.

The idea behind the museum is to create a place where people, especially youngsters, can experience the interactive exhibits and real war machines, added the officer.

According to sources, the museum is being developed in coordination with the Indian Navy, whose experts are guiding the curation, installation of decommissioned assets, and thematic design. “The Navy’s participation ensures the authenticity of narratives, the accuracy of technological displays, and the preservation of naval heritage. Officers from the Navy have worked closely with the state’s project consultants to finalise exhibit concepts and artifact positioning, ensuring that the exhibits capture the operational, emotional, and historical depth of the service,” the officer quoted above said.

According to officials, the museum will also have interactive touchscreens and projection walls. The museum will also offer 360 degree cockpit experiences replicating aircraft take-offs and submarine control rooms.