To ensure a dignified farewell, cows will soon have their own crematorium in the city. The carcasses of stray or abandoned cows will now be disposed of in a clean CNG furnace at the proposed facility.
Hygienic disposal of dead cows is a major problem in the city and their carcasses often end up in a landfill at Pirana.
However, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) novel proposal for a crematorium for cows has not found unanimous acceptance, with a section of officials calling the venture unnecessary and avoidable.
The crematorium is being planned near the Gyaspur sewage radiation plant across a 4,000 square metre area.
Experts say, there is no precedent for such a huge facility – which will have a burn rate of 700-kg per hour – anywhere in the state, and this will need adequate experience, infrastructure and investment.
“A separate crane will be used to lift the animal and then place it in the CNG incinerator. The facility will be up for a cost of up to Rs 6 crore,” an official said.
AMC commissioner M Thennarasan has already sought opinion of top officials from different departments like solid waste management, environment engineering, light department, and city engineering on the feasibility and viability of the proposed project.
It was argued that the capacity of the furnace must be large enough to cremate 15 carcasses per day, which may include those of other bovines and stray animals.
“During monsoon, this number may increase to 35-40 strays,” an AMC official said.
The official said they were likely to issue an expression of interest (EOI) or request for proposal (RFP) to find eligible partners who can operate and manage the crematorium.
A committee of deputy commissioners has been formed to study various aspects of the plan and submit a report.
“The commissioner also convened a special meeting a month ago with Dharmendra Shah, the political in charge of the AMC’s BJP body, and building committee chairman, Mahadev Desai, to discuss the proposal,” a senior AMC official said.
