Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) plan to reopen the slaughterhouse at Indira Gandhi flyover in Pimpri has been put on hold with National Green Tribunal (NGT), Western Zone Bench, Pune directing the civic administration to maintain status quo.
Activist Nitin Vilas Vatkar had approached NGT regarding PCMC’s decision. The notice issued by the tribunal to the civic body states that as Vatkar’s application regarding the slaughterhouse is posted for admission on November 13, the status quo order has been given.
The NGT order states that “Considering prima facie record, we direct that ‘status quo’ shall be maintained by the parties and the respondent shall ensure that no change shall be made in regard to the slaughterhouse until further direction is given by the Tribunal”.
The slaughterhouse located under the Indira Gandhi overbridge was closed in 2012 due to strong opposition from residents.
Acting on the complaints, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had issued a notice to the PCMC to shut down the old abattoir.
PCMC veterinary department had carried out changes in compliance with the regulations stated by MPCB two months ago and had made the facility ready for use. However, residents were unhappy with the arrangements forcing PCMC to close the abattoir once again. This time MPCB had raised fresh objections. PCMC veterinary chief Dr Satish Gore said, “We had complied with MPCB regulations with PCMC paying bank guarantee in case of violation of norms. We were planning to start it, but could not do it now following the NGT order.”
