TBM Staff - Mumbai
Much like the iconic attractions in Dubai, Mumbai is set to introduce its own tunnel aquarium at Byculla zoo, as per the plans unveiled by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), with a tender valued at INR 40 crore. Originally proposed in 2022, the BMC had sought proposals for a tunnel aquarium at Veermata Jijabai Bhonsle Zoo in Byculla. However, the project faced delays due to the Maha Vikas Aaghadi (MVA) government’s prioritization of developing an aquarium at Worli on Aarey’s dairy land, a plan subsequently discarded by the Mahayuti government.
Now, with renewed focus, the BMC is forging ahead with the tunnel aquarium project, aiming for completion within 12 months of issuing the work order, with the bid submission deadline set for April 5. According to Dr. Sanjay Tripathi, the zoo’s director, the envisioned aquarium will feature a dome-shaped entrance and two acrylic walk-through tunnels. One tunnel spanning 14 meters will showcase coral fish, while a longer 36-meter tunnel will host deep ocean aquatic species. Designed to emulate a natural marine habitat, the aquarium will incorporate elements such as stones, offering visitors an immersive experience of marine life from various continents.
To ensure water quality, a specialized aquatic life-saving system with a capacity of 10 lakh liters will be installed. Additionally, a pop-up window accommodating three people will provide a 360-degree view of aquatic life at close proximity. Situated adjacent to the penguin enclosure, the aquarium aims to enrich visitors’ experiences at Byculla Zoo. Notably, last year saw the zoo unveiling an underwater viewing gallery featuring crocodiles and alligators—a first-of-its-kind attraction in India, allowing tourists to observe surface and underwater movements of these reptiles from a dedicated 1,500-square-foot viewing gallery.
