Puri to Get International Standard Marine Aquarium Near Beach

Puri to Get International Standard Marine Aquarium Near Beach

To enhance marine tourism and boost Puri’s global appeal, the Odisha government plans to establish a world-class marine aquarium and underwater zoo near the beach. The Fisheries and Animal Resources Development (F&ARD) Department has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the project, designed to offer visitors an international marine experience while supporting education, conservation, and sustainable development.

Planned as a key attraction alongside the iconic Shree Jagannath Temple and pristine beaches, the facility will position Puri as a global hub for marine tourism.

The project will be developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The selected private partner will design, build, own, and operate the aquarium, investing in infrastructure and operations, while the state will provide land at subsidised rates and may extend viability gap funding.

The private partner will also be responsible for creating international-standard exhibits, ensuring environmental compliance, and promoting the attraction to draw domestic and global tourists. Firms interested in the project must submit proposals by October 10. Submissions will be reviewed from October 20, with the final selection to be announced on October 30.