Delhi Zoo getting a make-over ahead of the Games

Set to get two AC food courts, a souvenir shop, ATM facility and spruced up enclosures

Delhi Zoo, one of the oldest zoological gardens in the country, is getting a facelift ahead of the Commonwealth Games in the city. Spread over 200 acres, the zoo is home to several species of animals and birds and has 200 varieties of trees to boast about.

“The zoo will undergo a make-over as part of the upcoming Commonwealth Games. It is all set to have two air-conditioned food courts, a souvenir shop, new sign boards, ATM facility and more importantly spruced up enclosures for its inmates,” said a senior zoo official.

The zoo had earlier approached the Union Environment and Forests Ministry to release funds for the mega overhaul work that it is undertaking. “The scale at which the overhauling is being undertaken required support from the Union Government as this is probably the biggest modernisation exercise that we are undertaking,” he added.

Work on the souvenir shop is almost complete and the ATM of the Union Bank of India is also being put up.

The zoo authorities are also renovating the old cloak room and modifying the director's office. “New roads are being built within the complex and we are also looking at bringing in new inmates. To facilitate easy travel within the complex, battery-operated vehicles are also being brought in,” said a zoo official.

The zoo is hoping to see many tourists coming to the complex and the modernisation work is expected to make the experience a pleasant one. The authorities are also providing improved parking facilities and more guides to ensure that visitors do not face any sort of harassment.