India, Feb. 19 -- A Rs.400 crore-plan for the modernisation of the Delhi zoo has been approved by the Delegated Investment Board (DIB) under the Union government, said officials aware of the matter said.

A memorandum of the plan was recently cleared by the DIB and a letter seeking the fund allocation from the Centre has also been sent, an official said.

A detailed project report (DPR) will be prepared next, with plans to start construction work in the second half of this year, officials said. The project will be executed in segments over a period of four years with a focus on habitat enrichment for animals, a dedicated knowledge centre for students, improving the visitor experience, particulary by bringing them closer to animals through...