Now pay 20 times more to enter Byculla zoo

Mumbai: Get ready to shell out 20 times more money to enter Byculla zoo and view the Humboldt penguins there. The proposal was passed on Monday by the BMC markets and garden committee.

Under the new rules, any person above the age of 12 years will have to pay Rs 100 instead of the earlier Rs 5 entry fee. However, a family of four can still enter the zoo by paying Rs 100. The entry fee for children – between three and 12 years of age – has been increased from Rs 2 to Rs 25.

Entry charges are all-inclusive which means people will have to pay the same fee even if they do not want to view the penguins at the zoo. Civic activists have opposed the fee hike saying that the common man will not be able to afford it.

“According to the new zoo rates, the entry fees for adults and kids will be Rs 100 and Rs 25, respectively. But a family of two kids and two adults will be allowed inside by paying a fee of just Rs 100. An additional child will be charged Rs 25 each,” said Dr Sanjay Tripathi, zoo director.

A couple of months ago, BMC had recommended increasing entry charges for children and adults to Rs 20 and Rs 50, respectively. The viewing charges for penguins were proposed separately at Rs 50 and Rs 100 for children and adults, respectively, but the proposal was turned down by civic group leaders.

The BMC has now decided to club together entry and penguin viewing charges.

The monthly “morning walk” pass, which cost Rs 30 earlier will not cost Rs 150. Tourists and their children will have to pay Rs 400 and Rs 200, respectively, for zoo entry. For photography and video shooting, Rs 100 and Rs 300 will be charged, respectively.

The new rates will be applicable after the proposal gets approval from the standing committee and the BMC house, said civic officials.