In a major step toward upgrading India’s meat processing infrastructure, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has unveiled plans to redevelop and modernise the iconic Deonar abattoir in Mumbai — the country’s largest and one of its oldest slaughterhouses.
Established in 1971, the Deonar facility spans over 44 acres and currently handles the processing and slaughter of buffaloes, goats, and pigs on a massive scale. However, after five decades of continuous operation, much of the infrastructure has become outdated and strained under rising demand.
Now, the BMC is set to transform this facility under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, demolishing old structures and introducing modern, sustainable, and technology-driven systems.
🔹 What’s Planned
The proposed redevelopment will introduce new abattoir sections, improved hygiene systems, and enhanced capacity to handle more animals and birds safely and efficiently. The plan includes:
- 🐃 Buffalo abattoir: Capacity to be upgraded to 1,100 buffaloes per day (550 per shift)
- 🐐 Goat abattoir: Proposed capacity of 10,000 animals per day
- 🐖 Pig abattoir: Planned capacity of 500 pigs per day
- 🐔 New poultry abattoir: The largest component, with a massive capacity of 2.5 lakh birds daily
This marks a major expansion into poultry processing, aligning with the growing urban demand for hygienic, traceable, and quality-assured poultry meat.
🔹 Skill Development Centre — Building Human Capital
One of the most innovative aspects of the project is the establishment of a Skill Development Centre within the abattoir premises. The centre will offer educational and vocational training in meat industry operations, including product development, processing technologies, and food safety standards.
According to civic officials, the BMC will partner with government or recognised research institutes to design and run the courses. The goal is to train a new generation of skilled workers, strengthen industry knowledge, and promote safer, more sustainable practices in India’s meat sector.
🔹 Sustainability and Hygiene at the Core
The redevelopment will focus heavily on environmental sustainability and public health, featuring:
- State-of-the-art waste rendering and disposal systems
- Improved stormwater drainage, sewage, and sanitation facilities
- Modern loading and unloading bays
- Animal welfare-focused sheds and handling systems
These upgrades are expected to reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases, improve hygiene, and ensure compliance with national and international food safety norms.
🔹 Investment and Implementation
The project is estimated to cost between ₹250 crore and ₹300 crore, with the private partner responsible for modernisation and facility development. The BMC will fund certain civil works such as land development, drainage, sewage, and internal roads within the compound.
A Request for Proposal (RFP) has already been floated for the redevelopment of pig, buffalo, poultry, sheep, and goat abattoirs through the PPP model. The work will be executed in phases to ensure that ongoing operations are not disrupted.
🔹 A Revival After Scrapped Plans
This redevelopment marks a revival of BMC’s efforts after a ₹400 crore revamp plan was scrapped in 2022 amid allegations of tender irregularities. Now, with renewed focus and redesigned objectives, the civic body aims to bring the project to life — addressing rising urban demand for clean meat and upgrading infrastructure that has remained largely unchanged for over five decades.
🔹 Why It Matters
The modernisation of Deonar isn’t just about new buildings — it’s about transforming the meat and poultry ecosystem in India’s financial capital. The integration of technology, training, and hygiene will set new benchmarks for urban abattoir operations across the country.
As demand for hygienic, sustainably processed meat grows, the Deonar redevelopment stands as a symbol of India’s evolving approach to food safety, animal welfare, and skill development in the livestock sector.