PUNE: After hunting for a suitable spot for an abattoir for the past 20 years, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation
(PCMC) has proposed to construct a modern abattoir in an industrial
area. The civic body’s previous proposals for abattoir at various sites
had faced opposition in the past for their inconvenient location.

At present, Pimpri-Chinchwad has only one small slaughter house located below the Indira Gandhi
Railway Over Bridge (ROB). Traders sell meat from rows of shops that
the PCMC has constructed under the bridge. However, these shops are not
properly enclosed nor do they have many facilities. There have been
agitations for shifting the slaughterhouse from here as it is on the
road approaching the railway station and a nuisance to those living
nearby. Earlier, the municipal corporation had planned to shift the
slaughter house to Bhosari area. However, the proposal was abandoned
after severe opposition from local residents.

The municipal
corporation has now proposed to construct the slaughter house on a
hectare of land in survey number 202 at Pimpri Waghire. The land is in
an industrial zone. As per the provisions of the Maharashtra Regional
Town Planning Act, the corporation has invited suggestions and
objections from citizens for reserving the one hectare land for the
slaughter house. The suggestions and objections can be sent within a
month. Last year, the civic general body (GB) had approved a resolution
for allotting one hectare in Pimpri for the abattoir.The proposed slaughter house will have all modern facilities, including proper disposal of the waste.

Satish Gore, veterinary officer, PCMC, said, at present, around 15 to
18 large-sized animals are slaughtered at the slaughter house everyday.
The number increases to 55 animals on Thursdays, Sundays and other
special occasions. Around 6,000 kg meat is sold daily from the
slaughterhouse.

However, sheep and goats are not slaughtered at
the slaughter house. Shops selling sheep/goat meat are found scattered
all over the city. The shopkeepers slaughter these smaller animals at
the shops and sell their meat. Most of them lack cleanliness.

Officials say there is no central slaughter house where these animals
can be slaughtered in hygienic conditions. Around 15,000 to 16,000 kg of
sheep/goat meat is consumed in the city everyday.