Forests and Environment Minister Bikram Arukh on Tuesday told the Assembly that the State Government is taking all steps to resume toy train and ropeway services at the Nandankanan Zoological Park soon. “Steps are afoot to functionalise toy train service directly under the Forests and Environment Department and tender will be invited soon for resumption of the ropeway service at the Nandankanan Park,” Arukh said while replying to questions by Priyadarshi Mishar and other members.

He informed that the toy train service, which was running through outsourcing since August 2008, had been nonfunctioning since August 8, 2014. “The toy train service was put on outsourcing in August, 2014 and ran till 2012-13. Then the CITICON Service Pvt ltd, Bhubaneswar was entrusted its operation for two years since 2013. But, the company failed to run the service after one year violating agreement.

 Though a tender was invited on August 22, 2014, nobody turned up to participate and again another tender was invited on September 22 which attracted only one application of Rs 5,50,530, which was less than the Upset Price. The Department has received the approval of the Nandankanan Purchase Committee, which is under consideration of the State Government now,” Arukh said.

Regarding ropeway, the Minister said the service had been put on hold since January 12, 2011 due to lack of maintenance. The Nandankanan park, which spreads over a total of 436 hectares of land, comprising zoological park (296 ha), Kanjia lake (66 ha) and Botanical Garden (75 ha), had been established on December 29, 1960.

The Minister also informed that the State Government has made a plan to bring animals on new species to attract more tourists. All steps have been taken to ensure that animals do not come out of their confined areas, Arukh said. Similarly, the Minister said members’ proposals for establishment of a parking place, a restaurant and a market complex would be considered.