Kunnukuzhy slaughterhouse opening delayed again on billing and utility issues

Thiruvananthapuram: The much-awaited modern slaughterhouse at Kunnukuzhy, developed by city corporation, continues to remain non-operational due to pending procedural and logistical hurdles, prompting the civic body to step in and fast-track the process.The corporation has now decided to intervene directly after the contractor, Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Company Ltd (KEL), failed to submit the final bill required for releasing funds. Mayor V V Rajesh said a meeting will be convened with KEL this week to resolve the issue and ensure that payments are processed without further delay. "The corporation is ready to release the funds, but the contractor must submit the bill on time. We will hold discussions this week and clear all bottlenecks so that the facility can be commissioned at the earliest," the mayor said. He also pointed out that LDF govt inaugurated the facility without completing the project. Apart from the billing delay, the absence of a power connection also stalled the commissioning of the facility, despite most of the construction work being completed. Officials indicated that once these issues are resolved, the slaughterhouse is likely to become operational after the model code of conduct is lifted. Kunnukuzhy abattoir, built at an estimated cost of around Rs 15 crore, is one of the most modern facilities of its kind in the state. It was developed to replace outdated and unregulated slaughtering practices in the city and to ensure hygienic meat processing. Equipped with advanced infrastructure, the facility includes an effluent treatment plant (ETP), biogas unit, chilling rooms, odour control systems and a rendering plant for scientific waste management. It has the capacity to process up to 7,000kg of cattle and buffalo meat per day and around 250kg of goat or sheep meat, meeting stringent environmental and public health standards. Despite receiving clearance from State Pollution Control Board earlier this year, operational challenges such as lack of utilities, incomplete vendor onboarding and delays in finalising logistics for transporting livestock have hindered its launch. The facility has a long and troubled history, having remained shut for over a decade after being closed by authorities due to pollution concerns. Its modernisation took several years due to funding constraints, tender issues and technical modifications before finally reaching completion.