Mumbai: With BMC administration review the tender RS ​​15 Crore for maintenance of a byculla penguin enclosure after the sopposition of Corporators, BMC called for a monthly tender for maintenance of penguin cages.
It has waved the tender worth RS 35 Lakh to maintain penguin cages for a month.
Officials said previous maintenance contracts had expired and BMC provided a monthly contract because three-year tenders were delayed after the opposition corporator objected.
The three-year tender is under administrative supervision.
BMC must come out around Rs 5 Crore for a year for three years to maintain penguin cages.
BMC has floated a tender around Rs 15 Crore for maintenance of penguins for three years.
“The new tender is in the process.
The current three-year contract began in September 2018.
This is a contract RS 11.5 Crore.
Money will be spent on maintenance and air conditioning from penguin cages, living support and electricity systems.
This will also include costs Veterinary staff and supply of fish food for penguins, “the official said.
The decline in visitors at Byculla Zoo rose by around 30% after the opening of the Penguin Exhibition in March 2017 but revenues rose by almost 500% because of the BMC ticket price of the year.
BMC claims income at the zoo rises because of penguins.
BMC data stated that there were 12.51 visitors lakh in 2015-16 and the zoo produced Rs 70.03 lakh in ticket sales.
In 2017-2018, visitors 17.57 lakh and Rs revenue 4.36 crore.
In 2018-19, visitors fell to 12.70 lakh but revenue was Rs 5.42 Crore.
In 2019-20, there were 10.66 visitors lakh but the zoo produced Rs 4.57 Crore.