
About the Maritime Museum
The old dilapidated “River Boat Construction and Repair Workshop” of the British era was renovated and converted into a museum in 2013. The museum is by far Cuttack’s best tourist attraction. The museum hosts exhibits that give an insight into the age old navigation systems and its evolution. The wooden boat replica’s, the huge boat shed and the lathe which was the largest in Asia during its time, are some of the major draws of the museum. The addition of an aquarium section to the museum is a huge draw especially for the kids.
The settings of the museum are pleasant, by the Mahanadi riverside near Jobra, finely manicured and maintained lawns add to the feel good factor. The museum has a cafe and a souvenir shop; they also conduct painting competitions for children regularly making it a perfect outing for the entire family. It also has an open air auditorium with a sitting capacity of 250 people.
Brief history about the River Boat Construction and Repair Workshop
Aftermath the horrific famine of 1866 in Odisha which took the lives of scores of people, the British administration constructed this workshop in 1869 to prevent such large scale disasters in future.
The workshop was not restricted to manufacturing boats for the inland water transport system, it also looked after the inland water ways, irrigation projects and distribution of water.
It was the only workshop of its kind in Bihar, Bengal and Odisha under the Bengal Presidency of British India. Hence it was an important landmark.
It was constructed by Mr. G. H. Faulkner an Engineer of the British PWD department
Timings – 10 am to 5pm. Closed on Monday
Entry fee – Rs.10 per person. Children below 10 years of age entry is free
There is an additional Entry fee for Aquarium section – Rs.15 per person