Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is planning to set up a world-class marine aquarium and underwater zoo near Puri beach, enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination alongside the renowned Shree Jagannath Temple.
The Fisheries and Animal Resources Development (F&ARD) department has invited expressions of interest (EOI) to establish this cutting-edge facility in the coastal city, which aims to position the pilgrim town as a global marine tourism hub while promoting education, conservation, and sustainable development.
According to the EOI, the project will be executed under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. The selected private entity will design, build, own, and operate the facility as a commercial venture. It will shoulder the investment and operational costs, while the state government will provide land at a subsidised rate and may consider offering viability gap funding to bridge capital expenditure needs.
The chosen organization will also handle the development of international-standard exhibits, marketing to attract domestic and international visitors, and compliance with statutory and environmental regulations.
Interested parties have been asked submit their EOI by October 10, 2025.The department will review submissions from October 20 and announcement of the final decision will be done on October 30.
