Mumbai: BMC chief defends tender for penguin upkeep, says birds have helped increase Byculla zoo's revenue

BMC Commissioner Iqbal Chahal on Wednesday defended the charges of floating a tender for the upkeep of penguins at Byculla Zoo and said that these birds have, in fact, helped increase the zoo’s revenue collection.

Defending the charges of floating a high-cost tender for the upkeep of seven penguins at Veermata Jeejamata Bhosale Zoo, popularly known as Byculla Zoo, Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Chahal on Wednesday said the flightless birds have, in fact, helped increase the zoo’s revenue collection. With the entry of penguins in March 2017, the revenue of the Byculla zoo has increased by Rs 12.26 crore, he added.