Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has zeroed in on Mahalaxmi as the place to set up its first civic veterinary hospital in the city. The civic body will provide treatment as well as conduct sterilisation and vaccination of animals at this hospital at cheap rates.

The BMC has invited tenders from interested parties to run the project under the public-private partnership basis. “Regis-tered non-government organisations (NGOs), charitable public trusts or public co-operative societies with minimum 20 years of experience can participate in the tender process. In addition to this, they should have established at least one hospital in India,” said a senior civic official.

According to the Veterinary Council of India 1984 Act, all animal related activities should be handled by veterinary doctors. Accordingly, on the lines of its public health department, the BMC has formed a separate veterinary department. “Out of seven doctors, five have already joined whereas two are likely to join shortly,” said a civic official.

Veterinary activities related to cattle pound, dog population control, treatment etc have also been brought under a single body – the veterinary department, for which seven doctors will be hired. Under the ambit of this department, the BMC has planned to set up a hospital to curb the spread of zoonotic diseases.

“The BMC is also planning to set up three pet clinics — one each in the city, the eastern and the western suburbs. Along with the veterinary hospital at Mahalaxmi, we have also decided to upgrade the municipal pet clinic at Khar. The clinic in the eastern suburbs will be at Deonar. Facilities like a sonography centre and laboratories will be set up at these clinics,” said Dr Yogesh Shetye,general director, Deonar Abattoir.