Ludhiana: The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation’s (MC’s) modern slaughterhouse has effectively lost its purpose as the slaughtering of animals and birds continues unabated within residential areas. Originally established to centralise these activities and spare neighbourhoods from filthy conditions, the civic body has seemingly lost control over illegal slaughtering occurring in shops, near the Buddha Dariya, and in various open spaces. Consequently, residents have frequently complained about the persistent nuisance and unhygienic atmosphere in their localities.Sources reveal that due to a significant lack of birds and animals being brought to the facility, the contractor has offered to relinquish the plant’s operation and maintenance. The situation has deteriorated to the point where the plant is almost non-functional. The contractor claimed he was suffering heavy financial losses and alleged that authorities failed to support him in management. Furthermore, MC officials are accused of failing to carry out strong enforcement drives, often halting actions under political pressure.Jayant Puri, a resident of Jassian Road, recently shared a video documenting blood and flesh scraps discarded on public roads. He noted that shopkeepers routinely clean their premises and throw waste onto the streets every morning, creating a filthy environment. Puri emphasised that the blood entering the sewer system is particularly unhygienic and claimed he has repeatedly raised the matter with authorities to no avail. Similarly, Harish Sharma of Chander Nagar highlighted illegal slaughtering on the banks of the Buddha Dariya, where waste is discarded into drains. He noted that while officials occasionally remove illegal shops after complaints, the vendors return shortly thereafter.In response, MC medical health officer Dr Vipal Malhotra stated, “We carry out drives at regular intervals and direct shopkeepers to utilise the slaughterhouse.” He assured that another drive would begin soon. Notably, the plant was established at a cost of Rs 19.5 crore, featuring a capacity to slaughter 16,000 birds and 1,000 large animals per shift. However, fixed rates—Rs 10 for poultry, Rs 100 for pigs, and Rs 150 for goats—have failed to attract customers. In past meetings, shopkeepers expressed that customers prefer watching meat being chopped in person and fear that meat slaughtered at the plant would not sell out in a single day.Prime cut goes waste
