Mumbai: Tunnel aquarium to come up at Byculla zoo at Rs 62 crore

The aquarium will come up on 5,000 square feet of area next to the penguin exhibit and will comprise two walk-through tunnels housing coral species and deep ocean fishes. The dome of the tunnel will be built in acrylic glass and will enable visitors to walk through.

According to BMC officials, the facility will have Indian species of fish. “The aquarium will provide a unique experience to visitors. While we are establishing a new separate exotic zoo, the idea with this aquarium is to increase the total number of Indian species at the zoo since the CZA norms call for 75 per cent native species within a facility.”

In March 2024, the civic body floated a Rs 65-crore tender inviting bidders for the establishment of the dome-styled aquarium. “However, owing to the code of conduct ahead of elections, the process was stalled. We issued an extension on the tender as we did not receive any bids.” After the extension, the officials added that two bidders responded, of which one was scrapped.

Besides constructing the aquarium facility, the contractor will also be tasked with the work of refurbishing the existing penguin facility, which spans over 400 square feet, for the burgeoning population of Humboldt penguins.

“We are yet to issue the work order, which can take yet another week. After this is completed, work on the two projects will commence. We have finalised a target of one year to establish the new aquarium as well as create an extension of the new penguin facility,” an official added.

However, Samajwadi Party (SP) legislator Rais Shaikh has alleged serious irregularities in the tendering process with disregard for fire and safety norms. Writing to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani, Shaikh on Monday called for an inquiry by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) into the bidding process and demanded scrapping of the tender.

In his letter, Shaikh also pointed to the multi-storey aquarium proposed to come up where the Taraporewala aquarium stands, raising concerns over the need for yet another aquarium within a 5-km radius. Pointing to the manipulation owing to participation of a single bidder, Shaikh added, “It is learnt that the bidding company is a front company for certain senior BMC officials involved in the project,” alleged Shaikh.

Responding to questions, officials refuted the claims, stating, “We have followed the due process in the tendering process. We had received two bidders but one was nullified. Since the current bidder had quoted a lower amount and fit other criteria, we finalised them for the project,” said an official.

The bid to revamp the facility has come at a time when the Byculla zoo’s footfall and revenue has hit a three year low with the visitor count recording a dip of nearly 21 per cent in one year period.