Eid al-Adha: BMC gears up as over 1.5 lakh animals arrive at Deonar abbatoir
Nearly 109 facilities have been earmarked for the religious slaughter of goats, while slaughter of buffaloes is only allowed within the premises of the abattoir.
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A scene from Navi Mumbai. In the run-up to the festivities, thousands of traders from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh and other states start flocking to the Deonar facility with their animals nearly 15 days ahead of Eid al-Adha. (Express Photo by Narendra Vaskar)With only four days left for Eid al-Adha, over 1.5 lakh animals, including goats and 8,000 buffaloes, have already arrived at the Deonar mandi, which is Asia’s largest abattoir. With more animals expected to arrive at the facility, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has made elaborate arrangements to shelter the animals and spruce up security. Over 500 security and sanitation personnel will be deployed at the abattoir during the festivities.
Nearly 109 facilities have been earmarked for the religious slaughter of goats across the city, while slaughter of buffaloes is only allowed within the premises of the abattoir. This year, Eid al-Adha will be celebrated on June 7, with senior officials stating that as per traditions, the religious slaughter will be carried out from June 7 to June 9.
In the run-up to the festivities, thousands of traders from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh and other states start flocking to the Deonar facility with their animals nearly 15 days ahead of Eid al-Adha. Over 1.6 lakh animals are expected to arrive at the abattoir premises for sale. Furthermore, during the festivities, lakhs of people throng the abattoir with the peak footfall soaring to 1.5 lakh per day.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Kalimpasha Pathan, general manager of Deonar abattoir, said the traders who are bringing in animals to the facility are being registered on the online portal, and given a QR code to maintain their database. “We have digitised the process through a QR code system to register the traders as well as manage the movement of animals. While 1.5 lakh goats and 8,000 buffaloes have arrived, we are expecting nearly 20,000-30,000 more animals to be brought in, in the coming days. The number, however, will also depend on the demand for sale,” Pathan added.
In a bid to accommodate the animals as well as their traders, the civic body has erected sheds and shelters over the abattoir’s premises spanning 77,580 sqm. At least two health centres and three ambulances for people, as well as two first aid centres for animals, have also been arranged.
This year, four vehicles have also been allocated to transport and dispose of dead animals. Besides, 300 sanitation workers, pickup vans, JCBs and dumpers will work in three shifts. Plus, over 200 security personnel will also be deployed in two shifts within the slaughterhouse area. For security, CCTV cameras, with seven hand-metal and door-metal detectors, have also been installed.
Meanwhile, with religious slaughter of buffaloes prevented outside the abattoir premises, the civic body has warned of strict action against unauthorised slaughter. The BMC has deployed one team for monitoring the eastern, western suburbs and the island city division each.
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