The government is planning to commission the Puthur Zoological Park by October 2020, Minister for Forests, Wildlife Protection, and Zoos K. Raju has said.
The Minster, who reviewed the progress of the construction work of the zoo at Puthur on Saturday, said the second phase of the work would begin in December.
Tender procedures for the second phase had already started. A fund of ₹112.10 crore had been allocated from KIIFB (Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board). The second phase included 14 cages for reptiles and amphibians, parking facility, and a reception counter.
Total expenditure
The total estimated expense of the zoological park is ₹360 crore. The first phase of construction worth ₹30 crore will be completed in February 2019. This includes four cages, roads, and other facilities. The work, which was planned to be completed in December, got delayed owing to the floods. Now the work was progressing fast, the Minister said.
An amount of ₹7.9 crore has been allocated for the zoo hospital. The administrative office will be built at ₹3 crore.
Around four lakh litres of water will be needed for the park a day. It will be made available from the Manalipuzha by the Kerala Water Authority under a special project. The government will acquire four abandoned quarries to ensure additional water.
The survey for this will begin soon. The Central PWD will set up the facilities.
More than 10 lakh plants will be planted to provide a green cover to the park. The park will have an open zoo for animals. Tramway facility will be arranged for visitors and a visitors’ gallery will also be set up.
A high-power committee headed by the Minister and K. Rajan, MLA, Puthur panchayat president, and special officer of the park as members, will monitor the work.
