No headway on procurement of marine species
Variations in DPR yet to be approved, work halted
Mohinder Vema
JAMMU, Dec 3: What was showcased as Jammu’s most ambitious tourism project—North India’s first and India’s third Oceanarium at Bagh-e-Bahu, has now landed in a quagmire of poor planning and shocking lack of inter-departmental coordination, pushing the Rs 19-crore project into uncertainty at a crucial stage.
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“Despite tall claims of nearing completion, several physical works have not even started because the Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) Board of Directors has not yet approved crucial variations in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) that emerged during execution,” official sources told EXCELSIOR, adding, “in such a situation, the Roads & Buildings Department, which is executing the project, cannot proceed with essential components, slowing the project at a critical stage”.
More worryingly, no firm decision has been taken so far on the procurement of marine fish species, including sharks, which form the very backbone of the Oceanarium. This uncertainty has deepened after the Fisheries Department categorically conveyed that it lacks the technical expertise to handle and maintain sea-water species, sources informed.
“We have never dealt with marine fish or saltwater ecosystems. It is not our domain,” sources said, quoting the reasons officially forwarded by the Fisheries Department to Jammu Smart City Limited, adding, “this has left the Smart City authorities clueless about who will manage procurement, transport and long-term maintenance, especially when the Roads & Buildings Department too doesn’t have any expertise in this field. The absence of clarity on this vital requirement has virtually stalled forward movement on the project”.
Sanctioned during the 11th Board meeting of JSCL in December 2021, the project—Phase-II of the Aquarium-cum-Awareness Centre–is being executed at a cost of around Rs 19 crore. While the company engaged by the Public Works Department has completed major works, several finishing and technical activities remain pending due to administrative hurdles, sources said.
A key attraction of the Oceanarium is a 20-metre-long underwater glass tunnel capable of holding 4 lakh litres of salt water and showcasing nearly 40 species of marine fish, including sharks. However, without procurement decisions, this signature feature risks becoming a hollow structure, they added.
“The Oceanarium requires trained experts in marine environments, which the administration never planned for. With the Fisheries Department distancing itself, authorities now face the uncomfortable question– who will operate and maintain the Oceanarium once it opens?” sources remarked.
A Chennai-based company had been initially identified for running operations and maintenance for three years. However, even this arrangement remains inconclusive as it depends on finalizing species procurement and the handover mechanism between departments.
The Bagh-e-Bahu Oceanarium, once completed, would become North India’s first and India’s third Oceanarium, joining Chennai’s VGP Marine Kingdom and Bengaluru’s Aquarium Paradise, both major tourist magnets with walk-through tunnels and large marine exhibits. However, the ongoing administrative disarray threatens to derail Jammu’s chance to feature prominently on India’s marine tourism map.
“It is really a matter of serious concern that despite significant public money already invested and the project being projected as a marquee tourism attraction, bureaucratic delays, poor inter-departmental coordination and indecision over core responsibilities have pushed the Oceanarium into uncertainty”, sources said.
“Oceanariums demand advanced marine ecosystem simulation, specialized O&M expertise and uninterrupted water recycling systems. Without well-trained staff and clear administrative control, the facility cannot run safely”, sources said, stressing that unless JSCL swiftly clears pending approvals and the Government finalizes responsibility for marine species procurement and management, Jammu’s dream project risks missing its opening timelines and its purpose.
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