No fees to view penguins for few more days

Mumbai: Mumbaikars can continue to view free-of-cost the Humboldt penguins at Byculla  Zoo for some more days. With no decision taken on fees yet, BMC has decided to continue free viewing of the penguins for now.

Ever since opening of the penguins exhibition centre on March 17, thousands of Mumbaikars have flocked to Byculla Zoo to see the exotic birds. Such has been the rush that zoo authorities have had to close penguin viewing after 3pm last Sunday.

Earlier on, the civic administration had decided to keep entry free till the end of March and then charge fees of Rs 50 and Rs 100 for children and adults, respectively, from April 1. Civic officials claimed that providing state-of-the-art facilities at Byculla Zoo would put a burden on the municipal exchequer. They argued that to maintain these amenities, a fee hike was required.

A senior civic official said, “However, there has been no decision on charging fees so far. Till it is finalised, we will continue to allow penguin viewing free of charge.”

Sources revealed that free penguin viewing would be allowed at least for 10 more days. The proposal to hike fees will first be tabled before the civic group leaders’ meeting and then in the civic standing committee meeting for approval. It will be submitted in the civic house for final approval. The entire process is likely to take a minimum 10-15 days. Meanwhile, BJP corporator Sangeeta Sharma has demanded that BMC should permanently waive off penguin viewing charges.