Residents of Govandi have said that the exhaust chimney of the new animal incinerator at the Deonar municipal abattoir is too close to residential buildings, making it a health hazard. The Deonar abattoir administration, however, clarified that the incinerator will not cause pollution and is comparable to human crematoriums that are located in residential areas.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is constructing a large-scale animal incinerator at the abattoir in Mumbai for disposing of carcasses of pet and stray animals. The facility was originally proposed in 2018 as one of three municipal-run incinerators, the others being at Malad and Mahalaxmi.
The Deonar facility was approved in July 2019 but construction began in 2021 due to legal hassles and a change in site location. Later, the project deadline was extended to May 31, 2025. The incinerator is being developed under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model for a five-year period.
Compared to the Malad and Mahalaxmi incinerators that have a capacity to handle 50 kg/hour units for smaller animals, the Deonar facility is expected to have a high capacity of 500 kg/hour, making it significantly larger. Residents of the area have pointed out the ‘Manual on Municipal Solid Waste Management, 2018’ released by the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering recommends a buffer zone of 500 metres around waste processing facilities.
“What raises alarm is its location: the incinerator is being built in the environmentally vulnerable and heavily polluted area of Deonar-Govandi, already burdened by a dumping ground, biomedical waste facilities, and a proposed Waste-to-Energy plant,” said advocate Abid Abbas Sayyed. “This raises questions about the violation of citizens’ right to clean air under Article 21 of the Constitution and the neglect of environmental justice in marginalised communities.”
Residents said that despite public health concerns and environmental risks, the project was passed without public consultation or transparent environmental review. Dr Kalimpasha Pathan, general manager of the Deonar Municipal Abattoir, said that he has received representations from the local community, voicing concerns about possible health hazards.
“This is a small incinerator and is meant for small animals like dogs and cats. It will not cause pollution. In fact, it will ensure that animal carcasses are not disposed of in the open. The issue has been blown out of proportion. The residents are comparing it to an incineration facility for bio-medical waste. This incinerator will be similar to human crematoriums. It is a scientific way to dispose of animal remains,” said Pathan.
