Mumbai: The iconic Taraporevala Aquarium at the picturesque Marine Drive in Mumbai – which has been shut since the Covid-19 pandemic – is being revived and will be transformed into a world-class tourism spot.
Located on the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Marg aka Queen’s Necklace or Marine Drive, the Taraporevala Aquarium (also spelled Taraporewala Aquarium) is the oldest public aquarium in the country.
Article by Mrityunjay Bose | Deccan Herald
It is located between the Charni Road and Marine Lines suburban stations of the Western Railway.
The Taraporevala Aquarium – one of the most popular tourist destinations of the city – was shut after the Covid-19 outbreak in March 2020.
The construction of the Dharamveer Swarajya Rakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road has also affected the structural stability of the building.
The Taraporewala Aquarium and Marine Biological Research Station of Bombay (now Mumbai) was inaugurated by former President Rajendra Prasad on May 28, 1951.
It was named after Parsi businessman-philanthropist D B Taraporevala, who donated handsomely for its construction.
“The Taraporevala Aquarium is part of the history and heritage of Mumbai. We will revive it. The process has already started,” state Fisheries and Ports Minister Nitesh Rane told DH on Tuesday during an informal interaction at Mantralaya, the state secretariat in Mumbai.
“The new aquarium would be in the same place and would be of international standards,” Rane said, adding that Thailand, Singapore, Dubai and the United Kingdom among others would be submitting proposals.
The complex is spread over 4,369 sq mts currently. Three buildings—the aquarium, the office of the Commissioner of Fisheries, and a structure that earlier had a water filtration system and canteen.
After the construction of the Coastal Road, the building was declared dilapidated following a structural audit by the Public Works Department (PWD) – and hence a new state-of-the-art structure has been planned.
“The new aquarium would not only boost tourism but also bring people closer to nature and promote education,” Rane said.
It should be recalled that on March 3, 2015, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the renovated aquarium after a major two-year makeover which boasted of a 12-feet long and 360 degree acrylic glass tunnel and special pools, where children could touch fish. Many fish species were brought from Hong Kong and Bangkok.
The new aquarium would be far bigger in size and would be a major attraction of Mumbai.
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