Pune’s Only PMC-Run Slaughterhouse Shut Down By MPCB Over Pollution Violations
Pune: PMC Slaughterhouse Reopens With MPCB-Mandated Safety And Compliance Measures
Renuka Suryavanshi
Pune, July 3, 2025 – The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has ordered the immediate closure of Pune’s only municipal slaughterhouse located in Kondhwa, citing severe environmental violations. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)-run facility was found to be discharging untreated effluents directly into the city’s drainage system, which ultimately pollutes the Mula-Mutha river.
The action, enforced from Wednesday, follows multiple warnings and inspection reports, with MPCB finally disconnecting electricity and issuing a prosecution notice under the Water and Air Acts. Despite this, PMC reportedly allowed operations to continue using diesel generators and failed to disconnect water supply.
Key Impacts:
- Closure has halted the daily slaughter of approximately 100 animals.
- Traders and butchers warn of meat shortages in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, especially during the high-demand Ashad month.
- Fears of increased illegal animal slaughter raise public health concerns due to the absence of official veterinary checks.
Background:
The facility, operational since British times, has been under scrutiny for waste mismanagement. MPCB acted on complaints from residents of Nancy Garden and Wanowrie in February 2025. Orders were repeatedly ignored, leading to final closure and possible legal action against PMC and responsible staff.
PMC has a consultant to revamp the plant. Plans include expanding the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) from 60 KLD to 150 KLD and adding a 5 KLD blood processing unit.
Meanwhile, hundreds of families dependent on the slaughterhouse for income face uncertainty, as traders call for immediate reopening with upgraded infrastructure.
