7,722sq metres of land, worth ` 80 crore, reserved for zoo expansion, but approved plan does not require it
MUMBAI: The Byculla zoo is likely to get more land for its Rs150crore makeover.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed to acquire 722.47 s quare metres of l and at Mazagaon for the zoo. The land will cost the BMC Rs80 crore but the approved layout plan of Byculla zoo doesn’t require the plot at Mazagaon for expansion.
“The zoo is spread across 53 acres. The expansion has been planned for another 7 acres of land that will be handed over by the development plan department. The addition of Mazagaon land will be an added advantage,” said Sanjay Tripathi, director of Byculla zoo.
The proposal to purchase this plot will be tabled in front of the BMC’s improvements committee on Thursday.
As the land has been reserved for zoo expansion in the Development Plan, 1991, the landowner issued a purchase notice in February this year.
If the civic body acquires the plot, it will have to tackle the issue of rehabilitating the commercial establishments.
“Purchasing the plot would not just mean spending Rs80 crore but also have the rehabilitation of commercial shops. However, even if we fail to purchase the plot, it won’t affect the expansion plans of the zoo,” said a civic official on condition of anonymity.
The BMC has calculated the land cost at Rs52 crore but it will have to pay Rs28 crore as compensation to shops and commercial establishments on the plot, said civic officials.
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