Three cemeteries to be set up for pets

Mumbai: Cremation of pet animals will no longer be a problem as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to set up three cemeteries at Mahalaxmi, Malad and Deonar for them. The civic body will offer free of cost cremation facility for pet animals at these cemeteries. At present, there is only one private cemetery for pet animals and is run by a non-profit organisation (NGO) at Parel. Currently, the NGO Kora Kendra does the disposal of dead bodies of stray animals at Borivali.

All three proposed cemeteries will be eco-friendly and will run on compressed natural gas (CNG). The cost of setting up each cemetery will be about Rs 2 crore. 

“There are a large number of pet animals in the city – especially dogs and cats. After their death, owners carry out cremation of dead bodies in their own way, which may not always be hygienic. To facilitate the cremation of pet animals, the BMC has planned to set up three cemeteries – one each in the city, eastern and western suburbs — for pet animals,” said Dr Yogesh Shetye, general director, Deonar Abattoir.

The tender process for setting up the cemeteries will be completed by June this year and they will be commissioned in the next six months.

“Disposal of bodies of dead stray animals has always been a major hygienic problem in the city. The cemeteries can be used for their cremation,” said Dr Shetye.