Surat's Pal Aquarium remains closed for one and a half years, will not open for visitors even during Diwali

The state-of-the-art aquarium, built by the Surat Municipal Corporation in the Pal area at a cost of crores, has been closed for the last one and a half years. According to a report by Sandesh, entry to this aquarium has been restricted due to safety concerns. When the structural stability report of this building was prepared about a year and a half ago, it came back negative, leading the administration to decide to close it to the general public with immediate effect. It has now been clarified that Surat residents will not be able to visit this aquarium even during the upcoming Diwali vacation.

The Surat Municipal Corporation had spent approximately ₹17 crore on the construction of this aquarium. However, even though the building is currently closed, the corporation is having to spend a massive ₹1.7 crore annually on the maintenance of the fish and other aquatic creatures inside. At one time, when this aquarium was operational, it was also a source of income for the Municipal Corporation. At that time, this facility generated an annual income of approximately ₹1.75 crore to ₹2 crore, which has now stopped completely.

The current situation is that the municipal authorities have not yet taken any concrete decision on whether to repair this building or demolish and rebuild it. Due to this indecisive state, disappointment is being seen among tourists and locals. With the aquarium no longer an option for citizens staying in Surat during the Diwali vacation, they will be able to visit other tourist spots like Dumas Sea-Face and Nature Park.

This aquarium, managed by the Surat Municipal Corporation, was considered one of the city's main attractions. Located in the Pal area, this building was known for exhibiting various types of rare fish and aquatic life. In the past, this place was very popular among students and tourists for educational and recreational purposes. However, its popularity has been affected as this facility has been closed for a long time due to safety reasons.