PMC plans slaughterhouse amid crackdown on illegal meat shops

Patna: With hundreds of meat and fish shops operating illegally across the city, Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has initiated steps to establish Bihar’s first large-scale modern slaughterhouse in a bid to regulate the meat trade and improve hygiene standards.At present, no large govt-owned licensed slaughterhouse is functional within the PMC limits. The proposed facility, to be developed on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) basis, will process around 350 goats and chickens daily during six hours of operation.PMC has floated a tender to appoint an agency for the project with the bidding process scheduled to close on May 21.PMC commissioner Yashpal Meena said, “Only a limited number of licensed slaughterhouses are functional in the city, so this establishment is to ensure scientific processing, proper waste management, and adherence to prescribed hygiene and environmental standards. The municipal corporation aims to streamline the meat supply chain, curb illegal practices, and create a cleaner, safer and more organised urban environment for residents.”The move comes amid a statewide ban on open sale of meat and fish in urban areas. PMC has simultaneously intensified surveys and licence verification drives across its six circles.According to civic body records, 1,420 meat and fish shops are operating within PMC limits. Of these, 937 have been declared illegal, while only 90 shops possess valid licences. Notices have been issued to 1,234 shop owners, directing them to renew existing licences or obtain fresh approvals under municipal rules.The proposed slaughterhouse will function in a closed environment and include separate goat and chicken abattoirs, a blood processing plant with a seven-kilolitre daily feed capacity, and an effluent treatment plant capable of processing 120 cubic metres of waste every day.Officials said the facility would also have animal resting areas, ante-mortem inspection zones, hanging systems for carcasses and an on-site laboratory. To maintain food safety standards, carcasses will be transported to registered shops in insulated vehicles.The enforcement drive has revealed widespread violations across the city. Patliputra circle reported 290 illegal shops, while the New Capital Circle recorded 288 illegal establishments. Large numbers of unauthorised meat shops were also identified in Kankarbagh, Bankipur, Azimabad and Patna City circles.