MUMBAI: Though the Humboldt penguin exhibit is one of Shiv Sena’s pet projects in the BMC, the party has raised a stink over delay in execution of the plan.
On Friday, civic standing committee members, led by outgoing Sena standing committee chairman Yashodhar Phanse, visited the interpretation centre within Byculla zoo premises, which will soon be home to the seven penguins. However, they were surprised to find no penguins in it.
An upset Phanse said they had scheduled their visit to the zoo on being informed by the civic administration that the birds would be moved into the new enclosure by Thursday. “It is difficult to understand that when the interpretation centre is ready, why are authorities delaying opening up the viewing facility to the public?” asked Phanse and added that they were shown the previous month’s air and water quality reports.
Mumbai mayor, Sena’s Snehal Ambekar, had stated in a letter that the facility will be opened on March 6. However, zoo authorities said this seems to be difficult. Sources said Sena’s hurry in opening up the facility is due to the March 8 mayoral elections. However, Phanse denied it and said he was confident that a Shiv Sena mayor will be elected once again and therefore it would be their party that will inaugurate the facility.