Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Project to modernise abattoir

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city Corporation has drawn up a project to modernise the abattoir at Kunnukuzhy and set up a network of hygienic meat stalls at major markets. The project, named Suraksha, is aimed at checking illegal slaughter of animals and ensuring supply of fresh meat and meat products.

The annual Plan of the Corporation has earmarked Rs. 30 lakh for the project. Civic officials said the meat and the stalls through which it was sold would be branded under the name Suraksha. Twenty-five Suraksha meat stalls were to be set up at Palayam, Peroorkada, Pettah, Nanthancode and Kalippankulam markets in the first phase at a cost of Rs. 20,000 each. The stalls would be equipped with glass panels to keep out flies and dust, tiled walls and floor for easy cleaning and quality meat-cutting equipment.

The Corporation will ensure adequate supply of water to the stalls. Health cards are to be issued to butchers and shop assistants. The proposal includes purchase of a freezer for each market and a refrigerated vehicle to maintain the cold chain in transportation of meat.It also involves a public awareness campaign to highlight the health hazards posed by consumption of contaminated meat.

A high-level meeting convened by Mayor C. Jayan Babu in September decided to modernise the Corporation’s slaughterhouse at Kunnukuzhy and equip it with better infrastructure. The project is to be taken up with the assistance of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), nodal agency identified by the Union Government for modernisation of abattoirs in the State.

L. Ravikumar, senior veterinary surgeon, said the Kunnukuzhy unit would be developed as a model.

The civic body had installed a blood-collection facility at the abattoir and moves were on to set up a biogas plant that could generate electricity from waste. Officials said the power from the biogas unit could be used to light up the building and its premises.

The Corporation was also working on a proposal to establish a laboratory for clinical examination of animals brought for slaughter. The laboratory is to be equipped with electrophoresis equipment that will help to distinguish beef from mutton. Officials said this would help curb the practice of traders selling the meat of calves as mutton to derive profit.

G.R. Anil, Chairman of the Corporation’s Health standing committee, and Dr. Ravikumar are likely to visit the abattoir in Delhi that is being modernised.

In November 2006, the State Pollution Control Board (PCB) had issued notice to close down the slaughterhouse at Kunnukuzhy for failure to adhere to the prescribed standards for effluent treatment and disposal of waste.

Civic officials say the modernisation of the abattoir is a prelude to a heavy crackdown on illegal slaughterhouses operating at various locations in the city.

The lack of facilities at the abattoir at Kunnukuzhy is responsible for the health hazards and public nuisance caused by illegal slaughter of animals.

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