TU-142 aircraft museum seems to have led to a surge in the number of visitors to the Kursura submarine museum. It has registered about 6.5 lakh footfall in 2018 — a 40% hike — compared to about 4.5 lakh visitors of 2017. On an average, the submarine museum has been drawing about 4 lakh annual visitors in the last few years.
The aircraft museum is positioned opposite to the Kurusura submarine at the RK Beach and the increased tourist footfall to Kursura submarine museum in 2018 is primarily attributed to the people frequenting the submarine museum, after visiting the TU-142 aircraft museum.
The staff were seen allowing the visitors into the museum in batches to avoid commotion. A total of seven guides and one curator, who served as submarine crew in the Indian Navy, have been hired by the VMRDA to speak about the history and activities of the submarine to visitors. When asked about the major attractions of the submarine, a staff member said the submarine itself is an attraction as people cannot have a glimpse of submarine as in the cases of aircrafts and ships.
An official from the VMRDA said they are planning to add an infotainment system to the museum as an additional attraction. “The infotainment system will comprise both audio and video systems, explaining the significance of the items on display. The museum will also get CCTVs. The TU-142 museum has already got the infotainment system,” said the official.
Source: TOI