The state government has implemented a major modernization project at a cost of Rs 360 crore to give a complete makeover to Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden, one of the most important wildlife conservation centers in the capital of Assam. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma said that about 27 percent of the construction work has already been completed. The entire project, which started last year, is targeted to be completed within the next two to three years.
Modernization will include a state-of-the-art veterinary clinic, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center, new animal housing with a more natural environment, stronger security walls and improved visitor facilities. According to the CM, the project also includes a huge aquarium “with the potential to be the world’s largest”. However, the technical details of the proposed size of the aviary and its comparison with other large aviaries in the world are yet to be revealed.
The Chief Minister directed the officials involved in the project to visit the best and biggest zoos in the country. It asked the government to examine the possibility of introducing an internal rail service to facilitate the movement of visitors within the 175-hectare zoo. However, rail is still only one proposal; No final decision has been made on its approval, cost or route.
According to the official website of the Assam State Zoo, the entire enclosure covers an area of 175 hectares and about 82 hectares of it is covered by botanical gardens. The website currently lists a total of 1,231 animals. In May 2026, the zoo will receive around 2,000 visitors per day during the monsoon season. Work is also underway to make the zoo more accessible to people with disabilities with new paths, ramps and other amenities.
However, there are obvious inconsistencies in the published information on project costs and completion timelines. When the foundation stone was laid in January 2025, the cost of the project was announced at ₹362 crore. According to information filed in the Guwahati High Court in March 2026, the modernization work order was valued at around ₹ 345.67 crore and the completion date was set on November 29. The chief minister now said the cost would be around ₹ 360 crore and the duration would be two to three years.
Also, the tender price of EPC Mode-1 package is Rs.278.08 crore and the duration of work is 730 days. The tender price, work order price and total project cost may not be the same – as hospital, aviary, power-water, consultancy, beautification or other packages may be included separately. But to remove this confusion, the government must disclose the package-wise expenditure, contracting entity, time frame and actual progress. 360 crore of public money; Therefore, spectacular 3-D design alone cannot replace accountability.
Animal housing also has legal and ethical obligations. Hearing a public interest litigation, the Guwahati High Court directed the Central Zoo Authority to strictly adhere to minimum housing size norms for exotic and local species. The court also clarified that the authorities have not complied with the rules if it is found that the petitioner can bring the case again.
Project success is not measured by new gates, trains or visitors. The real measure would be how much animal mortality was reduced, how many rescued animals were returned to the wild, how successful breeding was in saving endangered species, whether there were enough doctors, biologists and livestock breeders, and how noise, dust and animal stress were controlled during construction. This dream of 3.6 billion rupees will become a reality only if this difficult test is passed.