Although Rs 22 crore was allocated for the project that was mooted four years ago the state was unable to make a quick decision on choosing a suitable piece of land. First, a piece of land was sought in the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) zone and later changing track, authorities planned to utilise a plot at Bandra-Kurla Complex, owned by the Maharashtra Maritime Board. “But, we finally zeroed in on a plot behind the Taraporevala Aquarium,” said a senior government official from the Mantralaya.

The aquarium has around 8,000-sq mtrs floor space allotted to it and after its renovation the remaining would be used for the Paryatan Bhavan. While 6,000-sq mtrs will be used for the tourism facility, the balance 2,000 sq mtrs will be reserved for the Department of Fisheries, he added as per a Mid-day report.

A meeting proposed on Tuesday for a final decision on the tourism complex had to be postponed at the behest of the Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan. “The meeting is likely to be held soon,” said a source from the department.