Construction of abattoir hits roadblock

The plan to construct a state-of-the-art abattoir in the city has hit a road block.

The district needs an abattoir badly as meat and fish stalls do business in open areas, close to the bus stand and circles such as Gundlupet Circle, Santemarahalli Circle and deviation roads.

Hence, an abattoir was proposed a decade ago and construction was to begin at an estimated cost of Rs 75 lakh. Although funds were released long ago, it is yet to be used for the purpose it was set aside for.

Two acres of land was also reserved for the construction of abattoir close to Galipura at survey number 65. Objections were invited from the public before the project was commissioned.

With no one filing objections, a proposal was sent to the district administration to hand over the land. However, there has been very little progress on the project.

The only ray of hope is a directive issued by the deputy commissioner at a meeting held to discuss Centre-sponsored schemes recently, to complete the process of land allotment for the project, and begin works on abattoir construction.

Traders speak

On the other hand, meat traders lament over the shops adjoining the KSRTC bus stand meant to sell meat lying vacant for a long time.

The process for auctioning them has not even begun. The city municipal council has not bothered to supply water to the shops, which have been selling meat.

“We need water in large quantities. There is no facility to supply water and no provision to sink a separate borewell either. And, if we have to shift to a new abattoir after it is complete, we cannot afford to pay hefty rents,” said a trader.

Consumers want the abattoir to take shape, since it will be hygienic than buying meat surrounded by muck, dust and stink raised by buses and rotting materials.