A Shanghai dream for you, Singapore for zoo animals
Animal lover Anckur Chokseys plans to revamp Rani Baug à la Singapore zoo, mired in red tape
Mumbai has no tourist destination, explained Anckur Choksey, owner of the new Orama Excite & Thrill theatre at Atria Mall, Worli. But before Anckur was known for giving Mumbai its first 4 D theatre, he was known as the man who would take up the task of redeveloping the Jijamata Udyan (more commonly known as Rani Baug), such that it becomes Mumbais numero uno tourist destination.
When I saw the Singapore Zoo, I felt the urge to do something like that for our Mumbai zoo, said the animal lover. The city needs a place like that. Before proposing the idea here, I talked to the people involved in the making of the Singapore Zoo to know if the Jijamata Udyan could be redeveloped.
Anckur spent a lot of time with Harrison Bernard, the ex-CEO of the Singapore Zoo, and his team. Harrison Bernard is a name synonymous with that zoo. He has promised to help us.
Formerly in the chemical business, Anckur was not well-versed with Mumbais politics and bureaucracy. I didnt even know who owned the zoo here. I found out that the BMC owns and manages it. It was two years ago that I began my research starting from the grassroots level. I spoke to the in-charge of the Zoo and Superintendent to understand the functioning of the zoo.
According to Anckurs calculations, a BOT (Build-Own-Transfer) system would work fine at the zoo. Anckur would build the zoo, own it for a period of 30 years to recover his money. He would then transfer the ownership back to the BMC.
He took his proposal to the then Assistant Municipal Commissioner Subhrath Rathod. I must say he is a very nice gentleman. He was thrilled with the proposal and asked me to prepare a presentation for the BMC. In three weeks, we gave a presentation to the BMC team, and they all loved it, recalled Anckur.
For the presentation, Anckur studied all the Animal Acts in India and met with Anuradha Sawhney of PETA to make sure that there is no violation involved in the process of building the new zoo. He also got a lot of support from his friend Raj Shroff, who made appointments with various political heads, for this presentation. I have given this presentation to every big name in the citys political scenario. I have met them all and they are all impressed. In fact, Uddhav Thackeray said that if he were the authority to decide on this project, he would want to begin work from the very next day, said Anckur.
The proposal…
The proposal was to construct the zoo in four phases within a span of three years. At a time, only 25 per cent of the zoo will be kept closed for the purpose of its redevelopment work. The entrance fee would remain the same, Rs 5 per entry, but the zoo would have some paid zones. There may be a few sections for which there is an additional entry fee, informed Anckur. We want to generate revenue without affecting the general public at the zoo. So there would be a Bird Park, a Vet Hospital, a Pet Store, Food Courts, Fancy Restaurants, a Banquet Hall, Camping Ground for school trips, Childrens Zoo, Entertainment Plaza with a 4 D Theatre, Night Safari with Trams and Underwater World, apart from the general zoo area, he explained.
The project would be completed in three years and would be transferred back to BMC after 30 years. By that time, he will have recovered the cost of the project (Rs 150 to 175 crore). Anckur believes that it will turn out to be better than the Singapore zoo.
Since the law doesnt permit purchase of animals, we have to exchange our animals with other zoos in the world. I have also chalked out which animal will come from where, said Anckur.
The concept plan
After the BMC showed interest in the proposal, they asked Anckur to prepare a concept plan. This is a plan, tailor-made for the site of development. It is studying the current situation and then it will study what the zoo will become after what we propose. I brought in the Harrison Bernard team to work on this. They have studies from the underground sewage lines, plumbing and electric, to the exact position of every tree in the zoo. We have the blueprint of the existing zoo.
After this, the Municipal Commissioner Johny Joseph also brought in Mackenzie to study the viability of this project. This proposal is a huge financial exercise. This expense had to be justified. So I understand BMCs concern over the viability of this project. Mackenzie gave us an okay for the project.
Anckur also formed a company to take up this project. Now the catch was how to give this project to a private party? He explained, There is no competition for me in this line. No one came forth with a similar proposal. If they create a tender, I would be the only bidder.
Anckur has already spent over Rs 40 lakhs on the preparation involved around the proposal. I have little understanding about politics. All I knew was that the BJP and the Shiv Sena aided the BMC work. But the newly elected government is Congress. Besides, somewhere the Corporators are also involved. To bring all this together was impossible. Last July, we worked out a way to hand over the project to me. However, 26/7 occurred and the floods became BMCs focus. They have been busy with that work ever since and I have lost interest in chasing this issue, says Anckur. There is a communication gap between the zoo, BMC and government. And finally the question is – who will take the credit for the new destination?
Johny Joseph, Municipal Commissioner says…
We cannot say anything on this issue yet. It was just an idea conceptualised by him (Anckur Choksey) but the procedure is yet to be decided. The zoo needs to be modernised. We have to provide for that in this years budget. Only after the budget is decided can we formulate how to go about with any plan.
This proposal is still in the discussing stage. After one or two months, we will decide. We have to adopt a bidding process. We cant just hand over this project to one person.