The Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC) has submitted a Rs. 3.06-crore proposal to the State government for the construction of a modern abattoir for small animals.

Though there was a small slaughter house near Beedinagudde here about 12 years ago, it was shut down because it was found to be too small. However, this move left the city without a slaughter house. As a result, mutton stall owners had to make their own arrangements for slaughtering sheep or goats. According to the Udupi CMC, there are about 12 mutton stalls in the city. To deal with this situation, the CMC has submitted a Detailed Project Report to the government for the construction of a modern abattoir for small animals, for approval. This abattoir is estimated to cost Rs. 3.06 crore.

This abattoir will have pens for holding sheep and goats, a reception and an office room, a cold storage room, a laboratory, a hides room, locker, a dress change room, a by-products dispatch platform, a by-products room, a dispatch block, and a veterinary doctor room. “We have identified 1.96 acres of land where the temporary fish market was located at Beedinagudde for the construction of the modern abattoir. Since the temporary fish market has been shifted to the new fish market on PPC Road, this area could be used for the construction of the abattoir,” said D. Manjunathaiah, CMC Commissioner.

“The Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) has proposed to develop abattoirs in 47 towns and cities, including Udupi in the State. The DMA has approached the Union Ministry of Food Processing for 50% grant under its scheme for modernisation of abattoirs across the country,” said K. Raghavendra, CMC Environment Engineer.

Meanwhile, mutton stall owners are all for the construction of the modern abattoir. Siddappa H. Aiholi, owner of the New Udupi Mutton Stall at the Adiudupi fish market, said that four mutton stalls were sharing a small room at the market for slaughtering purpose.

“About 20 goats/sheep are slaughtered daily here and it increases by three times on Sundays. The facility here is clearly not enough. A modern abattoir is needed,” he said.