August 9, 2008

Mega underwater aquarium to come up in chennai

An underwater aquarium will be set up adjacent to the VGP Universal Kingdom amusement park on Golden Beach, East Coast Road, VGP group chairman V.G.Santhosam told presspersons here on Thursday.

For the project, expected to take over two years, the Group entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Australia-based VDM Group for cooperation at various levels, including design and construction.

Mr.Santhosam said the proposed under water world aquarium would be an added attraction for tourism promotion along the ECR.

The aquarium, set to be first of its kind in the country, would be spread across three acres, featuring five-metre-deep tunnels through which people can tour the aquarium that is likely to feature some 2,000 marine species from across the world. Amphitheatre, food courts and a marine bio-technology research centre would be part of the aquarium.

“The project design will be finalised in four months after which we will apply for necessary clearances from the government,” VGP vice-chairman V.G.Selvaraj said. He said VDM Group will help the company source marine species from across the world. The company is planning to tap ground water for meeting the needs of the mega aquarium and this water will then be processed to simulate the natural habitat of the fishes, Mr.Selvaraj told The Hindu.

VDM Group Director Clive Bradshaw said the project would require an investment of about US $20-25 million dollars.

The Australian Export Promotion Council is likely to fund the project, he said. Australian Consul General Aminur Rahman participated in the function.
Sources:The Hindu

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