NMMC plans better facilities for animal care

NAVI MUMBAI: The civic chief, Tukaram Mundhe and his team of officers are now looking at better facilities for dogs and other animals. Several animal care projects are being fast tracked apart from the existing Turbhe sterilisation centre, which is currently in a poor condition.
NMMC has decided to start a new dog control centre under the Amre Marg flyover, covering around 2,100 sq m area, near the civic headquarters. They also plan to open a veterinary hospital for animals in sector 27, Vashi (plot nos. 9, 10 and 11).
The civic administration plans to use the existing sterilisation centre at Turbhe near the landfill site as an isolation ward for dogs and an incineration centre—a first in the city. The hospital will treat strays, pets besides birds and other animals too.
Sena corporator, Kishore Patkar said, “I lost my Beagle dog on Diwali night, as he died of respiratory problems and trauma due to noise and air pollution. I had been demanding an animal hospital for a long time and am happy to know the city will have one.
Additional commissioner, Ramesh Chavan said, “The clinic is at the planning stage. As the area (Vashi) is residential, we decided not to sterilise the dogs but use the plot for treatment facilities.’’
NMMC said it would ask Cidco to develop the Vashi plot (around 2,100 sq m) after the planning is done. The health department will also write to the city engineer about the plan to build a new sterilisation centre under the Amre Marg flyover. The design and cost estimates would then be worked out.