Modern Slaughterhouse in Thiruvananthapuram Faces Operational Delays
The highly anticipated modern slaughterhouse at Kunnukuzhy in Thiruvananthapuram, developed by the city corporation, continues to remain non-operational due to a series of procedural and logistical hurdles. This has prompted the civic body to step in directly to fast-track the commissioning process and resolve the ongoing issues.
Contractor Billing Delays and Corporation Intervention
The corporation has decided to intervene after the contractor, Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Company Ltd (KEL), failed to submit the final bill required for releasing funds. Mayor V V Rajesh announced that a meeting will be convened with KEL this week to address the matter and ensure that payments are processed without further delay.
"The corporation is ready to release the funds, but the contractor must submit the bill on time. We will hold discussions this week and clear all bottlenecks so that the facility can be commissioned at the earliest," the mayor stated. He also noted that the LDF government inaugurated the facility without completing the project, adding to the complications.
Infrastructure and Logistical Challenges
Apart from the billing delay, the absence of a power connection has stalled the commissioning of the facility, despite most of the construction work being finished. Officials indicated that once these issues are resolved, the slaughterhouse is likely to become operational after the model code of conduct is lifted.
The Kunnukuzhy abattoir, built at an estimated cost of around Rs 15 crore, is one of the most modern facilities of its kind in Kerala. It was developed to replace outdated and unregulated slaughtering practices in the city and to ensure hygienic meat processing.
Advanced Features and Capacity
Equipped with advanced infrastructure, the facility includes:
- An effluent treatment plant (ETP) for wastewater management
- A biogas unit for energy generation
- Chilling rooms for meat preservation
- Odour control systems to minimize environmental impact
- A rendering plant for scientific waste management
It has the capacity to process up to 7,000 kg of cattle and buffalo meat per day and around 250 kg of goat or sheep meat, meeting stringent environmental and public health standards.
Historical Context and Ongoing Issues
Despite receiving clearance from the State Pollution Control Board earlier this year, operational challenges such as lack of utilities, incomplete vendor onboarding, and delays in finalising logistics for transporting livestock have hindered its launch. The facility has a long and troubled history, having remained shut for over a decade after being closed by authorities due to pollution concerns.
Its modernisation took several years due to funding constraints, tender issues, and technical modifications before finally reaching completion. The city corporation's proactive steps aim to overcome these hurdles and bring the state-of-the-art slaughterhouse into operation, benefiting both public health and the local economy.
