Visitors to Mumbai’s Byculla Zoo, popularly known as Rani Baug, may soon be able to experience marine life from inside underwater tunnels. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is developing a walk-through aquarium at the zoo at an estimated cost of ₹62 crore, with completion targeted for early 2027.
The aquarium is part of the ongoing expansion and redevelopment of facilities at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo. Around half of the construction work has been completed so far.
Aquarium to Feature Two Acrylic Tunnels
Spread across approximately 5,500 square feet, the new aquarium will have two acrylic tunnels measuring 14 metres and 36 metres. The design will allow visitors to walk through the tunnels while viewing marine species from different perspectives.
The facility is expected to showcase more than 60 marine species, including colourful coral fish and other species found in the Indian Ocean. Officials said the species have already been selected, with the main focus being on marine life native to Indian waters.
A 1-million-litre life-support system and filtration facilities will also be installed to maintain water quality and support the marine habitats.
Construction Underway, January 2027 Target
An official said the glass required for the tunnels was received about a month ago and work on installing the permanent structures is currently underway.
While January 2027 has been proposed as the completion target, the final opening timeline will depend on the progress of the remaining construction and related work.
BMC chief Ashwini Bhide recently reviewed the progress of the aquarium project along with the expansion of the nearby Humboldt penguin enclosure.
Penguin Enclosure to Accommodate 40 Birds
The aquarium is being developed alongside an upgrade of the Humboldt penguin enclosure. Once the expansion is completed, the enclosure will be able to accommodate 40 penguins, compared with its current capacity of 21.
Byculla Zoo currently attracts around 7,000 to 8,000 visitors on regular days, while footfall can rise to nearly 20,000 during holidays. Officials expect the new aquarium to become another major attraction for visitors.
The civic body is also exploring new aquarium concepts, including a ceiling aquarium and a cylindrical tank. A tender is expected to be floated soon for procuring the aquatic species that will be displayed at the facility.
Aquarium Ticketing Plan Yet to Be Finalised
The BMC has not yet decided whether visitors will have to pay a separate entry fee for the aquarium. The facility is being developed within the same premises as the Humboldt penguin enclosure.
The Humboldt penguins were introduced at Byculla Zoo in 2016 from South Korea. Since then, they have become one of the zoo’s major attractions, drawing thousands of visitors every week and making a significant contribution to its overall revenue.
