September 6, 2025: The proposed Exotic Bird Park at Nahur has come under public scrutiny after its estimated cost rose by 66 per cent within just four months. However, officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Byculla Zoo have categorically denied allegations of malpractice or favouritism.
The BMC has floated bids worth Rs 166 crore for the project, which will house exotic species such as macaws, toucans, swans and ostriches. Designed with stainless steel tensile wire mesh enclosures to replicate natural habitats, the aviary will also include landscaped gardens, water bodies, aviary-style shelters, paddocks and artificial rockwork. In addition, facilities such as veterinary hospitals, quarantine zones and interpretation centres are planned to enhance conservation, education and research. Visitor amenities will feature bird show arenas, underground parking, audio-visual systems and eco-friendly elements such as solar panels and energy-efficient lighting.
Despite the ambitious design, activist Godfrey Pimenta has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to cancel the tender, citing the sharp escalation from the original ₹100 crore estimate. He described the increase as “a betrayal of public trust” and “an outright plunder of the public exchequer.”
In response, Sanjay Tripathi, Director of Byculla Zoo, dismissed all allegations of corruption or impropriety. He explained that the ₹166 crore cost was not the zoo’s independent estimate but the result of an EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) tender process, which requires bidders to study the design, drawings and site conditions before quoting their costs.
Tripathi added that the bird enclosures are structurally complex and must adhere to international standards, necessitating specialised materials and engineering expertise. The project, he stressed, includes extensive landscaping, educational displays and visitor infrastructure. Officials reiterated that the tender process was transparent, with equal opportunity extended to all bidders.
Source: The Free Press Journal
