The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has floated a contract for the upkeep of penguins at Byculla zoo, also known as the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan for one month for INR 35 lakh, this comes amidst the delay in appointing another contractor, stated a report by Mid-Day.
The Opposition has been slamming the civic authority for proclaiming a tender at an estimated price of INR 15cr for the upkeep of nine penguins at the Byculla Zoo for the arriving three years post which the contract was reffered back in August.
According to the previous contract, the monthly expenses was INR 32 lakh a month but the proposal mentioned earlier had a monthly expense of INR 42 lakh. The earlier contract of nearly INR 11.46cr for a duration of 36 months was completed in September and was prolonged for another 42 days.
The account quoted a BMC official who highlighted that since the contract is ending in the days ahead, they have asked for a temporary contract for a month, November 14 onwards.
In 2016, eight penguins that were three males and five females were brought from the Coex Aquarium in Seoul. Whilst one then died, two had a baby in 2018 that died in August. This year, two babies were born.
Based on accounts, the civic authority incurred expenses worth almost INR 100cr for the penguin’s enclosure. This idea has received immense criticism for its high maintenance cost.
Also Read: Mumbai's Byculla Zoo Witnessed Over 23,000 Visitors This Weekend
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