Mumbai: Get ready for a steep hike in charges if you’re planning to visit Byculla Zoo, and that is even if you don’t want to see the Humboldt penguins. BMC has proposed that it will charge an all-inclusive entrance fee of Rs 100 for adults and Rs 25 for children, irrespective of penguin viewing. The proposal was passed in the civic group leaders’ meeting on Saturday.

“According to the new zoo rates, entry fees for adults and kids will be Rs 100 and Rs 25, respectively. But a family of two kids and two adults will be allowed into the zoo by paying a fee of just Rs 100. Every additional child will be charged Rs 25 each while the fee for private students will also be Rs 25.

The entry for municipal students and their parents and senior citizens has been kept free,” said Dr Sanjay Tripathi, director, Byculla Zoo.

Earlier, charges for adults and children were Rs 5 and Rs 2, respectively. A couple of months ago, BMC recommended increasing charges for adults and kids to Rs 50 and Rs 20, respectively. The viewing charges for penguins were proposed separately at Rs 50 and Rs 100 for children and adults, respectively. However, BMC has now decided to club the entry and penguin viewing charges.