Mumbai: After BMC cancelled a Rs 402 crore tender for modernisation and development of Deonar abattoir in 2022, the civic body is now seeking interested parties for one of the country’s largest slaughterhouse facilities, on a PPP basis. According to BMC, inputs and suggestions from interested parties at stakeholder meetings will be considered for drafting the final tender.According to civic officials, the earlier tender for modernisation was cancelled due to the poor response, as the project proponent also had to carry out operation and maintenance. The tender process also attracted allegations of rigging and cartelisation, and BJP had alleged that tender conditions were tweaked to favour certain firms.BMC has appointed Grant Thornton Bharat as consultant for the proposed modernisation. The modernisation and development project aims to transform the existing semi-mechanised setup into a state-of-the-art, hygienic, and environmentally sustainable facility, which will cater to the meat demand in MMR, and to the export and value-added products market.The project includes development of dedicated units for slaughtering buffalo, goat/sheep, pig, and poultry, along with rendering and effluent treatment facilities with total slaughtering capacities from 1,100 buffaloes to 10,000 goats/sheep, 500 pigs, and 250,000 poultry birds per day, which will be equipped to meet future demand.According to civic officials, humane slaughter of animals, including automated electrical stunners, group stunning pens using captive bolt or electrical methods, and CO₂ stunning technology, which induces unconsciousness without physical restraint, will be elements of the project.The project, which will be implemented on a build, operate, and transfer (BOT) basis, is likely to have a concession agreement for 20 years. The PPP partner will build the facilities and provide slaughter and quartering services for locals at rates fixed by BMC and revised every three years. While the entire capital expenditure will be undertaken by the PPP partner, the partner will share a percentage of total revenue with BMC.A bio-methanisation plant, which will process biodegradable waste such as rumen contents, dung, agricultural residue, and wastewater from lairage cleaning, is also part of the project. Through anaerobic digestion, organic matter will be converted into biogas, which will be methane-rich. The biogas may be used to generate on-site energy for lighting, heating, and other utilities.
