BMC junks Rs 44 crore tenders for aquarium at Mumbai zoo | Mumbai News

MUMBAI: After scrapping controversial tenders worth Rs 291 crore for the construction of new animal enclosures in Byculla zoo following allegations of cartelisation and cost escalation, the BMC has cancelled tenders for a new aquarium there. According to the civic body’s estimates, the aquarium and upgradation of some existing facilities connected to the aquarium would have cost around Rs 44 crore.
Municipal commissioner Iqbal Chahal confirmed to TOI that the aquarium tenders had been scrapped. The BJP had objected to the tenders citing cost escalation, rigging and cartelisation.
BMC officials said an international aquarium was to be set up as per plans made by former environment and tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray. “Walking through the circular aquarium with a domed entrance and tunnel, visitors were to experience the joy of watching fish in the sea. Due to this, the aquarium would definitely have been a big attraction for tourists. As per Thackeray’s instructions, different features were included in the plan and the tender process was started,” the BMC had said in a statement.
Remarking that Byculla zoo tenders had always been controversial, the BJP welcomed the decision to scrap it. “Almost all contracts for Byculla zoo have been bagged by only one company since 2016. This is nothing but a scam. The Byculla zoo has a history of bogus tenders, cost escalation and rigging of bids right from the penguin enclosure to the present one. The aquarium tender was also tailor-made for certain companies. Now, we wills seek an enquiry against zoo officials who have collaborated with bogus companies over the last five years,” BJP leader Vinod Mishra said.
He added, “An aquarium is also coming up on the Worli Dairy land. There must be no duplication of projects. There was no real need for this aquarium unless something new was to be included here. We also have the Taraporewala aquarium in south Mumbai. The BMC must develop new facilities in the suburbs too, not just south Mumbai.”
This March, following allegations of cartelisation and cost escalation in bids for the construction of new animal enclosures at the zoo, the civic body scrapped the tenders which had overshot its estimates by Rs 106 crore.