Underground aquarium to add to Guwahati's charms

After groundwork at Sopur, Assam Tourism plans to kick-start project next year

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 4: Assam Tourism has embarked on a project to set up an underground aquarium on the outskirts of the city, in a bid to attract domestic and foreign tourists.

"You can find such underground aquariums in Singapore, Bangkok…They are a big hit among tourists. Ours will be the first of its kind in the region. This is part of our plan to create more and more tourist destitions to make the State a tourist hub," said State Tourism director Manoj Deka.

The project, however, is in its prelimiry stage.

"The cost is yet to be estimated. We are doing our groundwork to filize the project. We hope to execute it early next year. This year we plan to complete the prelimiry survey, identification of land and the feasibility study," he said.

The aquarium project would require a vast area of around 50 bighas.

"The Industry department has identified a plot at Sopur for their Mini Axom project. We have communicated to them to allot us a plot in that area for the aquarium project, and they have given the green sigl. We will be spending around Rs 10 lakh for the ground level survey, land and feasibility test for the project, which are going on now. After completion of the survey, we will rope in a transaction adviser for the proposal and implementation of the project," Deka said.

The Tourism department is planning it big. There will be two museums - one on the State's culture and another on tea. Tourism Minister Sumitra Doley Patir is learnt to be taking keen interest in the project.