Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut expressed dissatisfaction, describing the loss of another significant project to Gujarat as a betrayal of the people of Maharashtra. Raut pointed out the presence of three ministers from Sindhudurg in the state government and one in the central government, questioning how they allowed the submarine tourism project to be taken away.
This setback for the Maharashtra government involves the submarine tourism project, initially planned for Sindhudurg district. Announced in 2018, the project aimed to provide tourists with the opportunity to explore the underwater world off the coast of Sindhudurg at an estimated cost of ₹1 billion (US$13 million). However, the Gujarat government recently signed an agreement with Mazagaon Dock Limited, a state-owned shipyard, to develop a similar submarine tourism project in Dwarka, Gujarat. The move has drawn criticism from opposition leaders who see it as a failure on the part of the Maharashtra government to attract investment.
This relocation of the submarine tourism project to Gujarat is part of a broader trend where Maharashtra has lost several significant projects to the neighboring state in recent months. In September, Gujarat secured a $20 billion semiconductor manufacturing plant that was originally intended for Maharashtra, raising concerns about the Maharashtra government's ability to attract and retain crucial investments.