Mysuru: The Mysuru Zoo may soon welcome a Penguin Park, a project floated after shelving the much-delayed aquarium project that remained incomplete for 15 years. This fresh proposal, aimed at boosting tourism, is expected to cost around ₹70 crore and will follow the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, similar to setups in Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
According to Zoo Executive Director K.N. Rangaswamy, the proposal is in its early stages, and a feasibility study is being planned. The authorities will also assess the structural integrity of the existing building initially constructed for the abandoned aquarium project, as the same location is being considered for the Penguin Park.
However, several tourism stakeholders are skeptical. Many consider this just another potentially failed project, pointing to previous ventures like the aquarium that ended up wasting public funds. They argue that instead of launching ambitious new projects, the government should prioritize completing existing ones and improving basic infrastructure for the 4+ million tourists Mysuru attracts annually.
CA Jayakumar, president of SKAL International (Mysuru chapter), stressed the importance of a clear tourism vision and measurable goals. “It’s not about novelty, but value,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Tourism Director KV Rajendra announced that the upcoming Eco Experience Zone (EEZ) project will integrate Mysuru Zoo, Karanji Lake, and the Regional Museum of Natural History under single-entry access, offering a full-day nature-based itinerary. Tenders will be floated soon for implementation.