KOCHI: Protests are mounting over the inordinate delay in setting up a modern slaughterhouse at Mattancherry. The Kerala Meat Workers Association held a protest march last week demanding immediate steps to start the project. When the City Corporation shut down the old slaughterhouse at Mattancherry eight years ago citing poor hygiene, several employees lost their jobs, Association representatives pointed out. Though an abattoir was proposed with modern butchering equipment on a PPP basis, it is yet to takeoff.
A government approved agency M/S Virgo Aqua had earlier submitted the detailed project report, tender document and design estimate for the abattoir. “After the closure of the earlier abattoir, animals are being butchered and the meat sold in open places in the most unhygienic conditions. We have submitted memorandums to civic authorities and conducted a series of protests. However, the corporation authorities have been sitting on the proposal for long,” said Association representatives.
Meanwhile, Corporation Health Committee chairperson Adv. V.K Mini Mol told DC that the state government has allocated Rs 3.45 crore for the abattoir project under the Additional Plan Assistance scheme. “The earlier DPR and tender document submitted by M/S Virgo Aqua could not be taken forward due to shortage of funds. Now, the project can be executed once the funds are released,” she said. At present, the entire city has only one authorized slaughterhouse at Kaloor which has been recently revived at a cost of Rs 25 lakh.
