Project includes walk-through tunnels, artificial rock work and multiple tank types; expected to be completed in a year
Penguins inside an enclosure at the Byculla zoo. File Pic/Ashish Raje
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved a proposal for the construction of an aquarium at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo. The BMC will allocate Rs 70 crore for this project.
According to the proposal passed last week, the aquarium will include facilities such as a dome aquarium, walking tunnel and pop-up windows. In addition to rectangular and circular tanks and a tunnel aquarium, the facility will feature four rectangular tanks, five circular tanks, and two hemispherical tanks made of acrylic panels, where various types of fish will be displayed. Dr Sanjay Tripathi, director, Byculla zoo, said, “We will try to complete the construction of the aquarium in a year. It will showcase Indian marine life.”
“Artificial rock work will be arranged to create a natural environment for marine life. The facility includes two themed tunnel aquariums made of acrylic panels. One will be a 14-metre-long coral fish tunnel aquarium and the other a 36-metre-long deep ocean tunnel aquarium,” said a zoo official. A BMC official stated, “The aquarium is part of the expansion of the Byculla zoo. The expansion was planned in 2009 in a phased manner.”
According to sources, the civic body had invited tenders for the construction of the aquarium last year, but at that time, there was no response.
As per the plan, the expansion of Byculla zoo is currently underway. The BMC is also attempting to acquire a pair of lions. Another proposed expansion, to be developed on the zoo’s dumping ground, will showcase exotic animals like giraffes, kangaroos, and others. Meanwhile, according to reports, the state government-run Taraporewala aquarium is expected to reopen this month. The aquarium, which was shut during the pandemic, has undergone renovation under the state government.
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