MUMBAI: With the
BMC
yet to decide on scrapping the tenders for construction of new animal enclosures at Byculla zoo after cost escalation of Rs 106 crore, the
BJP has now filed a complaint with the Central Zoo Authority (
CZA
) asking it to send a team of experts to probe alleged irregularities in the tender process.
In a letter to Union environment minister Bhupendra Yadav, who heads the CZA, the BJP has asked the authority to hold back approvals given to the zoo till an inquiry is conducted. The CZA is the nodal agency that regulates
zoos
in India.
“If rigged tenders are awarded and this results in substandard work, then the life of animals will be threatened and they will be at risk. Therefore I urge you to initiate an inquiry into this and seek a detailed report from the BMC. Till a report from BMC is awaited, NOCs and approvals given should be suspended or revoked. I urge you to send a team of CZA experts to Byculla zoo to inspect the quality of all existing animal enclosures, especially the penguin exhibits, and re-examine all the plans submitted for the new animal enclosures,” BJP corporator
Vinod Mishra wrote to Yadav..
The BJP has already made several complaints to the civic body and even filed a complaint with the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW). Following this the EOW wrote to the anti-corruption bureau (ACB), asking them to carry out an inquiry. The BMC had recently floated two tenders to construct animal enclosures and exhibits. While the tenders were estimated at Rs 91 crore and Rs 94 crore, the two companies Ms Highway Construction Company and Ms Skyway Infraproejcts bid Rs 146 crore and Rs 145 crore respectively. This resulted in cost escalation of Rs 106 crore.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays, public holidays, and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Raksha Bandhan wishes,
messages and
quotes !