Indian Express 08.12.2010
Probe into wall collapse delays work at new zoo in Ajwa, VMC in a spot
hitarthpandya Tags : Vadodara Municipal Corporation, VMC, Central Zoo Authority Posted: Wed Dec 08 2010, 02:12 hrs
The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) is in a spot again. On one hand, it is struggling with the construction work at the new zoo near Ajwa Sarovar while on the other hand, a pending inquiry into the wall collapse at the new zoo a few months ago has halted the work.
Sources said the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is not very happy with the progress of the zoo shifting project as it feels that the civic body has delayed it. The construction work at the new zoo is on for over a year now.
As per the latest communication between CZA and VMC, the latter has been asked to complete all the formalities and construction work by the end of this year and shift the zoo in 2011.
“The civic body is still not ready to shift the animals to the new zoo. If we go by the CZA directive, we are suppose to start shifting by the first week of January. Before that the groundwork, work at all the enclosures should be ready. But the ground reality is different altogether. We might have to seek another extension from CZA,” said a VMC official.
He added the “already delayed” project was further delayed after a wall at one of the tiger enclosures collapsed in August, which had raised questions on the quality of work.
“The wall collapse was a major setback. The entire matter is being investigated. It seems the probe will take some more time,” the official further said. Deputy Municipal Commissioner A O Sharma, who is responsible for the existing zoo and the new zoo, said: “The inquiry is going on and the report will be submitted to the VMC Commissioner, who would take the final call. Once the inquiry part is over, then we will start working on the zoo shifting plans.”
