Mumbai: BMC’s standing committee on Wednesday cleared a Rs 61.8-lakh contract to ensure a steady supply of buffalo and red meat for Byculla zoo.The zoo has 93 mammals, 193 birds and 55 reptiles. Big cats and other carnivores—including tigers, leopards, hyenas and jackals—require regular meat supply, making the contract crucial for day-to-day functioning. The tender process had seen limited competition. BMC had to extend deadlines thrice before it got two bids. One bidder was disqualified on technical grounds, leaving Evernew Traders as the sole eligible contractor. The contract will run for 12 months, including the monsoon, and will be funded from the zoo department’s budget, which has earmarked Rs 1.8 crore for 2026-27. The contractor will also need to continue supplies for up to three months beyond the contract period, if needed. The contract’s short tenure drew criticism from Shiv Sena’s Yamini Jadhav. “Animal feed is a continuous requirement. The contract should be for at least five years,” she said. Citing volatility in meat prices, BMC officials said the one-year contract is “more practical”. —Richa Pinto
