INS Kurusura Submarine Museum in Vizag
Smashing Opponent’s Ships
Submarine or U Boat is part of the Indian Navy fleet during war with Pakistan. At that time only four submarines were operational in the Indian Navy and one among them was the underwater behemoth INS Kursura made in Russia. This was introduced in the armed forces in 1969 and was the main weapon store for smattering Pakistan naval forces during the war. After a service of 31 years and traversing 73,500 nautical miles (136,100 km; 84,600 mi), she was decommissioned on 27 February 2001. Despite being a decommissioned submarine, she still receives the navy's "Dressing Ship" honor, which is usually only awarded to active ships. INS Kursura was used for test firing the NSTL 58 torpedo in 1975 and sent to Russai for refit in 1980 enabling its reentry to Indian Navy in 1985.
Kurusura Museum at Vizag
A novel thought sprouted in the minds of Andhra Pradesh State Government officials and that was to convert decommissioned INS Kurusura into a museum. Kurusua was brought to Rama Krishna Beach, Visakhapatnam and converted into an attractive tourist spot as the public can enjoy that along with sea breeze. The Kurusura Submarine Museum was dedicated to the Nation on 9th August 2002 by Nara Chandra Babu Naidu, then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and opened to the public on 14-8-2002 by Visakhapatnam Metro Region Development Authority and VMRDA in short.
Entry Fee, Transport
Tourists can visit Kurusura easily from Visakhapatnam airport, train station or bus station complex while asking the driver to take them to Vizag Beach. Entry fee varies for adults and children and discounts can be applied for children in groups. One has to pay for still camera and video camera for taking photographs and videos in the submarine museum. It was open to tourists at afternoon and evening time only on week days but on Sunday it allows visitors from morning 10 also. |