Pune: In a decisive move, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has ordered the closure of the Pune Municipal Corporation’s slaughterhouse located at Salunkhe Vihar Road, Kondhwa. The directive comes after multiple violations of environmental norms, confirmed through inspections and a public complaint.
The order, issued by the Regional Officer of MPCB, Pune, J.S. Salunkhe, under Section 33A of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Section 31A of the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, follows a series of investigations triggered by a formal complaint from residents of Nancy Garden Co-operative Housing Society, Borade Nagar, and other nearby localities.
An inspection by MPCB officials on February 28, 2025, revealed serious non-compliances, including:
Failure to operate the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), leading to discharge of untreated effluent into the Bhairoba Nala.
Absence of exhaust and ventilation systems and lack of deodorizing arrangements, causing severe odor issues.
Overflow of untreated effluent, blood, and tissues, choking drainage systems and spilling radish-colored liquid onto surrounding roads, including Salunkhe Vihar Road.
Despite the Board’s proposed directions on February 28 and a personal hearing on April 2, PMC failed to implement remedial measures. The minutes of the hearing, received on May 5, outlined the following mandatory directives:
Submission of a time-bound compliance plan within 7 days.
Installation and operation of an adequate-capacity ETP.
Prevention of effluent spillages outside the premises.
Implementation of odor-control systems, such as misting with fragrance.
Composting of Type-I and Type-II waste.
Adherence to slaughterhouse waste management guidelines issued by MPCB on December 24, 2014.
Completion of all measures within 15 days.
Given the failure to comply with consent conditions, and continued environmental and public health hazards, the MPCB has issued “Safe Closure Directions.” PMC must cease operations within 96 hours of the notice and obtain MPCB approval before resuming any activities.
