12 Aug 2014
India oceanarium would be largest in country pending government approval
BY Tom Anstey
Plans for a Rs500 crore (US$81.7m, €61m, £48.7m) oceanarium in Diu, situated in the west of India's Saurashtra peninsula, would be the largest of its kind anywhere in the country should plans come to fruition.
The large seawater aquarium will be used for scientific study and as an attraction. India’s central government has agreed, in principle, to build the aquarium in Diu – an island on the Indian coast accessible by bridge – which is looking to kickstart its tourism potential and increase commercial activity for the island.
35 acres of land has been earmarked for the project, with the site undergoing a technical evaluation at the end of July, and a memorandum of understanding is soon to be signed by developers Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, in partnership with the government of India.
Plans for the oceanarium were originally devised in 2009, when the port city of Kochi declared its interest in the project, but backed out after objections were raised over security issues. The facility almost called the west coast’s Goa home too, but the project fell through after failing to gain sufficient land in the desired area.
Groundwork has already started on the site, while Diu is also undergoing an Rs500 crore (US$81.7m, €61m, £48.7m) redevelopment to upgrade and build roads, bridges and other infrastructure, to turn the island into a thriving tourist hub. As of yet, no opening date has been set.
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