Mumbai: The BMC's ambitious plan to build an aquarium at Byculla Zoo has once again encountered a setback. Following demands from Samajwadi Party's MLA Rais Shaikh to cancel the tendering process, the civic authorities have decided to reassess the project.
In light of these concerns, they will now seek a detailed feasibility report from the consultant regarding the proposed location for the aquarium, which is intended to be situated near the penguin exhibit.
After struggling to find a new home for its extended family of penguins, the BMC plans to expand their enclosure at Byculla Zoo to accommodate 18 penguins. The civic body will also move forward with its earlier plan to construct a tunnel aquarium, with an estimated cost of Rs 65 crore.
However, Shaikh has written to the BMC commissioner, demanding the cancellation of the tender for the aquarium's construction, citing concerns over fairness and transparency after only one bidder participated in the process.
“Given the lack of adequate space, the potential risks of stampedes and fire hazards, and the irregularities surrounding the tender—specifically the participation of a single bidder," said Shaikh in his letter.
However, civic officials clarified that, "There were initially two bidders, but one became ineligible, leaving only one in the race. Additionally, the identified location near the penguin exhibit is one-way, which reduces the risk of stampedes or other incidents."
Meanwhile, In response to concerns raised by MLA Shaikh, the BMC has decided to ask consultants to check on the feasibility of the location. The civic body has decided to build an aquarium with at least 46 different species of aquatic flora and fauna.
As per the plan, the aquarium will have a dome-shaped entrance and two acrylic walk-through tunnels. A -14 metre tunnel will be exclusively for coral fish, while another 36-metre-long tunnel will be reserved for deep ocean aquatic species. The plan to set up a world-class aqua gallery at the zoo was earlier scrapped when Aaditya Thackeray announced a mega aquarium at Worli during his stint as tourism minister in 2022.
