MPCB Issues Closure Notice to PMC Slaughterhouse

We welcome the decision by the MPCB. Residents are happy to see the closure notice; there is still no action on the PCB slaughterhouse. MPCB authorities have assured us of action against them.

- Gayatri Vajpeyee

PUNE: Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) on Thursday issued a temporary closure notice to Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) slaughterhouse in Kondhwa for failure of the facility to comply with environmental norms.

The board has asked the PMC medical officer of health to stop all the activities in the facility within 96 hours of issuance of the notice. The board also directed the civic body not to resume any activity without prior permission.

JS Salunkhe, regional officer, MPCB, issued the notice after the minutes of the personal hearing, which were received on May 5. The meeting of the officials and the complainants was held in Mumbai on April 2.

On February 28 this year, the MPCB received several complaints from the residents of the Nancy Garden Cooperative Housing Society and other nearby residential societies about the issue. The drainage lines in the areas surrounding the slaughterhouse have been overflowing with animal blood, waste, fat and body parts, they allege.