Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced a ₹1,230-crore modernisation plan for the Deonar abattoir. The project, combining civic investment and private participation, seeks to upgrade the 160-acre complex into an eco-friendly and mechanised food infrastructure hub aimed at ensuring food safety, animal welfare, and environmental protection.
According to civic officials, the BMC has floated a ₹980-crore tender for the turnkey development of common infrastructure at the abattoir complex, while an additional ₹250 crore worth of requests for proposals (RFPs) have been invited under a public-private partnership (PPP) model for core operations. These will cover construction and management of species-specific slaughterhouses for buffalo, goat and sheep, poultry, and pigs. The upgraded abattoir is envisioned as a model for sustainable urban meat processing. It will feature a bio-methanisation plant, effluent treatment systems, renewable energy usage, and improved waste management practices to reduce carbon emissions and prevent water pollution. “The new design ensures that the facility meets international hygiene and environmental standards while maintaining humane animal-handling protocols,” said an official associated with the project.
Under the PPP structure, the concessionaire will build and operate dedicated abattoirs with slaughtering capacities of up to 1,100 buffaloes, 10,000 goats and sheep, 500 pigs, and 40,000 poultry birds daily. These facilities will include rendering units for value-added by-products, helping Mumbai strengthen its domestic supply chain and export potential. The project will operate under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model with a 20-year concession agreement, where private partners will invest capital, run operations, and share revenue with the civic body. In addition to animal welfare standards, the plan also includes a comprehensive urban renewal component. Civic authorities confirmed that the project will integrate amenities such as administrative offices, a food court, a skill development centre, and animal lairages. Automation through electrical and CO₂ stunning systems will be introduced to make the slaughtering process more humane and efficient, reducing worker exposure to hazards and ensuring compliance with international guidelines.
Urban infrastructure experts have welcomed the initiative, describing it as an essential move for aligning Mumbai’s food supply systems with global standards. “Upgrading abattoirs is not just about hygiene; it is about creating a sustainable food ecosystem that respects health, the environment, and humane practices,” said an industry expert. Once operational, the revamped Deonar abattoir is expected to significantly reduce contamination risks, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and establish Mumbai as a leader in sustainable urban food infrastructure. The project could also serve as a blueprint for other Indian cities seeking to modernise outdated municipal facilities through green and circular economy principles.
As Mumbai moves towards its larger goal of becoming a zero-waste and climate-resilient city, the modernisation of Deonar marks a critical milestone — merging technology, animal welfare, and sustainability into one comprehensive urban transformation.
BMC Launches Rs 1230 Crore Sustainable Modernisation Project For Deonar Abattoir In Mumbai
