BJP city chief opposes Byculla zoo fare hike

Following opposition by citizen-groups and activists for the new entry rates of penguin exhibit at Byculla zoo, Ashish Shelar, BJP city president, on Tuesday, wrote to civic chief Ajoy Mehta expressing his disapproval of the fare hike.

The Free Press Journal had earlier reported that Mumbaikars will have to shell out Rs 100 to get a glance of the seven Humboldt Penguins housed at Jijamata Udyan.

In his letter to Mehta, Shelar said it will be unjust to increase the fares considering the sad state of the zoo. “The zoo lacks several amenities and is not wellmaintained. With several flaws still in zoo maintenance, the increase in fare hikes will not only create disinterest among citizens but also will be unjust.”

Shelar also opposed the monthly morning walk pass which cost Rs 150 according to the new proposal, whereas the current monthly pass rates are Rs 30.

Congress’s allegations

Meanwhile, Congress has called the BJP double-faced saying that the latter did not opposed it in the previous committee meetings despite of having a strong majority. Ravi Raja, Leader of Opposition, said, “The proposal was first cleared in the group leaders meeting where BJP did not raise any objections. The proposal was then passed in the Markets and Garden committee which was unopposed by BJP despite having strong majority. This clearly shows that they are two-faced.”