Pulianthope to get modern abattoir under Vada Chennai project

Chennai: Poor hygiene, stench, blood stains, bones and skins lying scattered across the floor at the Pulianthope slaughterhouse are set to be a thing of the past. The Greater Chennai Corporation plans to build a state-of-the art abattoir replacing the 100-year-old facility.

Now, under a project funded by Vada Chennai Valarchi Thittam, GCC will demolish the existing abattoir on the 10-acre area and build a modern one with an elevated cutting facility, a sewage treatment plant, and a lairage to house 10,000 heads of cattle and goats overnight. The 50-crore project envisages 120 stalls to sell mutton and 160 stalls to sell beef. More than 10,000 shops across the city buy meat here for retail sales.

The slaughterhouse is the oldest and biggest in the city getting 500 goats and 300 heads of cattle every weekend, mostly from Salem and Namakkal. There's no effluent treatment plant nor daily waste collection. Waste lies strewn on the floor for days.

Zonal officer of Pulianthope A S Murugan said that ahead of big festivals, thousands of animals would be kept on parked lorries or open grounds. "The new lairage with shelter can house the animals for 24 hours with fodder and water support. This new system won't cause any hassle for the traders and vendors," he said.

"We will have bathing and washing facilities for both workers and animals. Toilets and sleeping areas will be created," he said, adding that the abattoir will be eight acres while the remaining two acres will be for greenery, STP and parking.

The corporation also is setting up exhaust facilities to remove foul smell. An area to dry animal skins too will be created. The project will start in 15 days and will be completed in two months.

GCC commissioner J Kumaragurubaran said this is a long-time demand of vendors and people. "Once this is done, we will also renovate slaughterhouses in Villivakkam, Saidapet and Sholinganallur," he added.