Mumbai: Visitors to Rani Baug in Byculla could soon get a chance to “walk through the sea”, with the BMC developing a walk-through underwater aquarium featuring two acrylic tunnels. The project, estimated to cost around Rs 62 crore, is expected to be ready by early 2027, with about half the work completed.The aquarium will have two tunnels measuring 14 metres and 36 metres, allowing visitors to view marine life from different angles as they walk through the structures. The aquarium is spread over around 5,500 sq ft, with the BMC planning to showcase more than 60 marine species, including colourful coral fish and species found in the Indian Ocean.The project will have 1 million-litre life-support system and on-site filtration facilities to maintain water quality. Officials said the species have been selected, with the focus expected to be on showcasing marine life found in Indian waters. The aquarium is being developed as part of the ongoing expansion and upgrade of facilities at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo, popularly known as Rani Baug.“The glass for the tunnels was received about a month ago and installation of the permanent structures is underway. While Jan 2027 has been proposed as a completion target, the final timeline is dependent on the progress of the remaining works,” said an official.The aquarium will add another attraction to a zoo that already sees substantial visitor footfall. Rani Baug receives around 7,000-8,000 visitors on a regular day, with the number rising to nearly 20,000 on holidays.BMC commissioner Ashwini Bhide recently reviewed the progress of the aquarium project as well as the ongoing expansion of the penguin enclosure. The enclosure is being upgraded to accommodate 40 penguins, up from the existing capacity of 21.Officials said that it is also the first time ever that the civic body is examining aquarium concepts, including a ceiling aquarium and a cylindrical tank. “The city hasn’t seen anything as such in the past and hence, once operational, there may be a lot of interest among the visitors to watch it, we anticipate,” said an official, adding that a tender will be floated for procuring the aquatic species that are planned for the aquarium.The BMC has not yet decided on any separate charges for the aquarium entry as the same is coming up in the same premises where the Humboldt penguins are located. The penguins, introduced to Byculla Zoo in 2016 from South Korea, have emerged as the zoo’s biggest attraction, drawing thousands of visitors every week and contributing significantly to its revenue.
