Trial run begins at Kunnukuzhy slaughterhouse

Thiruvananthapuram: The long-delayed modern slaughterhouse at Kunnukuzhy began trial operations, moving closer to formal commissioning after years of delays and regulatory hurdles. Corporation authorities said the official inauguration will be held in the coming week, and the date will be announced shortly. During the trial run, large animals brought by vendors were slaughtered successfully at the facility. Before the formal launch, the city corporation will hold a meeting with around 40 meat vendors to discuss operational procedures, pricing arrangements, and day-to-day logistics. According to mayor V V Rajesh, the modern slaughterhouse has become necessary due to the mushrooming of illegal slaughterhouses in various parts of the city. He said the facility would help ensure hygienic meat processing and scientific waste management while bringing slaughtering activities under proper regulation. Built at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore, the Kunnukuzhy facility is among the more modern slaughterhouses in Kerala. The project was taken up after the old corporation slaughterhouse shut down more than a decade ago following complaints of pollution and unhygienic conditions. With no centralised facility in place, illegal slaughtering units multiplied steadily across the capital. The facility is equipped with an effluent treatment plant, biogas unit, rendering plant, chilling rooms, refrigeration systems, and odour-control mechanisms. Operations are largely mechanised to maintain hygiene standards and meet pollution control requirements. Corporation officials said the facility has the capacity to process up to 75 large animals and 50 small animals per day. Dedicated systems for the scientific treatment and disposal of slaughter waste have also been installed to minimise environmental impact on surrounding areas. The project faced repeated delays over the years due to tender-related hurdles, absence of power connection, delayed pollution control clearances, and operational planning issues. The state pollution control board recently granted consent for operations, enabling the corporation to proceed with the trial run and advance towards final commissioning.