IE : BMC plans Rs 100-cr overhaul of abattoir : Oct 2, 2007

DEONAR ABATTOIR  - BMC plans Rs 100-cr overhaul of abattoir
 Civic body aims at providing state-of-the-art fully automated facilities We
have been complaining about the inhuman treatment and demanding about
humane, hygienic standards at the abattoir. It lacked unloading ramps and
veterinary facilities Jayasimha N G Coordinator-Campaigns & Legal Affairs,
PETA
 SHWETA DESAI
OCTOBER 1

T HE Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is finally planning a Rs
100-crore overhaul of the 30-year-old Deonar abattoir to turn the 64-acre
plot into a state-ofthe-art slaughterhouse meeting American and European
standards, complete with fully automated facilities, a biogas plant for
treatment of waste and a resting space for animals.

The BMC has already issued tenders for appointing a consultant for the
project, expected to be completed by 2009.

Located 20 km from Mumbai, the abattoir was completed in 1971 and has five
slaughterhouses for sheep, cattle, goats and pigs where around 120 workers
are involved in handling and slaughtering animals. Activists have been
crying hoarse over the alleged inhuman treatment of animals at the abattoir
for several years now.

According to Dr R S Renke, the general manager of the abattoir, the BMC
plans to reduce the inhuman treatment of animals and also minimise
involvement in humans in slaughtering animals. "The existing slaughterhouse
was built in 1970s and lacked modern facilities when compared to other
countries. Now, the entire slaughtering process will be completely
mechanised with little human involve ment," he said. Around 4,000 animals
are slaughtered daily at the abattoir and the number goes up to 1.5 lakh
during Eid and other similar occasions.

Although, it's mandatory for the slaughterhouse to install a carcass
utilisation centre, the BMC dumps carcasses at the Kora Kendra. According to
Renke, as part of the proposed overhaul carcasses as well effluents will be
treated in the new slaughterhouse. "A biogas plant and an effluent treatment
plant will ensure scientific disposal of waste," he said.
The BMC is also planning to make use of the biowaste for making byproducts
instead of just disposing it. "We are exploring the possibilities of making
powdered manure through bones and even leather products with the cattle
skin," Renke added.

The abattoir now meets the guidelines of Gulf countries and exports meat to
the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman and
Qatar. The proposed stateof-art slaughterhouse will be equipped to meet the
guidelines of American and European countries.

"By meeting the American and European standards, we will be able to get
foreign exchange and increase our export," Renke said.

Coordinator-Campaigns & Legal Affairs, People for the Ethical Treatment of
Animals (PETA) India, Jayasimha N G said the BMC's proposed state-ofart
slaughterhouse would be of little help if the animals were not treated
properly. "We have been complaining about the inhuman treatment and
demanding about humane, hygienic standards at the abattoir," he said, adding
that the abattoir lacked unloading ramps and veterinary facilities.

Publication : IE; Section : MN; Pg : 3; Date : 2/10/07
URL :
http://70.86.150.130/indianexpress/ArticleText.aspx?article=02_10_2007_523_004