Pune Municipal Corporation Secures World Bank Funding for Major Slaughterhouse Overhaul
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced a significant infrastructure project to reconstruct the civic slaughterhouse located in Kondhwa. This initiative is backed by substantial financial support from the World Bank, with a sanctioned amount of Rs 9.77 crore allocated for the comprehensive upgrade.
Project Details and Financial Breakdown
Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram confirmed that the existing slaughterhouse, which caters to both large and small animals, requires urgent modernization. The reconstruction will involve demolishing the current structure and building a new facility from the ground up. The estimated project cost, as conveyed by the appointed consultant Mitcon Consultancy and Engineering Services Ltd, stands at Rs 8.70 crore, excluding an additional 18 percent GST. Furthermore, the proposal includes an expenditure of Rs 21 lakh specifically for the demolition of the old slaughterhouse, which constitutes 2.5 percent of the total project cost.
Adherence to International Standards
The new slaughterhouse will be constructed in strict compliance with the norms set by The Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) of the World Bank. Commissioner Ram emphasized that the World Bank has approved additional expenditures to ensure the facility meets these stringent standards. The proposal was processed through SMART, the state government-owned Balasaheb Thackeray Agribusiness and Rural Transformation project unit, which facilitated the approval.
Addressing Pollution and Capacity Issues
PMC Veterinary Officer Sarika Punde highlighted critical issues with the current facility. The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had previously issued a notice to the PMC due to pollution caused by effluents released from the slaughterhouse. While improvements have been made to the Effluent Treatment Plant, the age of the structure necessitates a complete upgrade. The new facility will enhance daily animal handling capacity from 100 to 200, significantly boosting operational efficiency.
Benefits of the Upgrade
Upon reconstruction as per APEDA norms, the slaughterhouse will achieve best-in-class standards, enabling meat packaging for export-quality products. Punde noted that the improved hygienic conditions are expected to encourage more vendors to utilize the facility efficiently. She added that nearby local bodies have already sought permission to send licensed vendors to use the facility, though such requests are currently denied pending the upgrade. This project aims to not only modernize infrastructure but also promote better environmental practices and economic opportunities through potential meat exports.
