As per reports, the Mumbai’s State Fisheries Department headquarters have been shifted from the iconic 70-year-old Taraporevala Aquarium, located at Mumbai’s Marine Drive, to Mittal Towers, at Nariman Point, since July 2023. It is speculated that this shift is the result of the ongoing work for the Coastal Road project, which seems to have weakened the foundations of the landmark building. The aquarium building is allegedly no longer safe for habitation. Additionally, it is also feared that once the road opens later this year, the expected heavy vehicular movement could further compromise the integrity and reliability of the structure. There are presently no plans to revive the building – neither for tourism nor administrative purposes.

As per news reports, the Fisheries Department, which owns the property on which the aquarium stands, had floated a global tender last year inviting project applications to modify the design of the building and maintain a top-notch aquarium, on a public-private-partnership model. But the tender failed to elicit any bids.

The facility has been closed to the public since the Covid-induced lockdown in March 2020. Named after noted philanthropist D. B. Taraporevala, the Aquarium was inaugurated in 1951. The future of this iconic building – whether it will be torn down or restored – has not yet been decided.