The Standing Committee of the BMC cleared a proposal on Monday for the upkeep of the penguins at the Byculla zoo for three years for Rs 15.26 crore. While the BJP has objected to the high cost of maintenance, the birds continue to be the main attraction at the facility. The footfall on Sunday touched 16,500, more than the pre-Covid levels, said officials.

Two and a half months ago, the opposition corporators had sent back the proposal to extend the maintenance contract stressing that the penguins were proving to be expensive. However, the civic administration resent it without making any changes. The BJP corporators on Monday raised slogans in the standing committee demanding a discussion on the proposal, but chairman Yashawant Jadhav approved it. Unlike last time, the Congress corporators maintained silence on the proposal.