LAHORE, Aug 2: An alternative route to the Lahore Zoo on The Mall has yet to be developed even after a month of the deadline.

The government had uprooted several old trees at the zoo to make an alternative passage to it because the chief minister secretariat at 90-The Mall wanted to have a separate way.

Heaps of debris in front of the zoo's main entrance are still creating problems for visitors. The communication and works department had to lay an alternative route and build the gate opposite a five-star hotel by June 30. But none of those was built because of slow pace of work by the department, which has yet to lay sewerage system. The zoo officials are facing difficulties in draining out rainwater and their plea to the department to expedite work fell on deaf ears.

The new gate being built on the edge of The Mall may hinder the traffic flow and cause accidents. An elephant sculpture, which has been placed at the previous main entrance at the zoo since 1986, will be relocated at the new entrance.

The zoo authorities are also considering the plan to place some eight sculptures of different animals on the way to the zoo on The Mall. The zoo, which were compensated by giving 10 kanals at the Jinnah Garden for giving place for the chief minister secretariat, is planning to develop a crocodile pond there.

Meanwhile, a two-year master plan for the zoo has been finalized and work will begin in September or October this year at a cost of Rs40 million. Under the plan, an aquarium with a covered area of 4,400sqft would be constructed to display a variety of colourful fish species to attract visitors.

A 3,000sqft chimpanzee house will be built to provide semi-natural environment to the zoo's four chimpanzees. Besides, a temporarily constructed small cafeteria has been proposed to be converted into Jungle Cafe. Remodelling and extension of the existing leopard, bear, primate, lion and reptile houses have also been proposed.

The existing outdated recreational facilities for children will be replaced with modern ones. The master plan proposes inclusion of the surrounding lawns in the duck pond. The two gates will be renovated, 10-acre lawns developed and shelters erected for visitors under the plan.

To provide a beautiful species in cluster, a walk through aviary construction has been proposed over an area of 14,400sqft. The Lahore Zoo, which was established in 1872 over 24 acres, has over 13,00 animals of 133 species. These include 1,000 birds, 49 reptiles and 336 mammals. Some 30 keepers look after these animals at the zoo, which attracts 2.7 million people annually.