The Vellore Corporation is all set to get two more slaughterhouses in the city, in addition to the one existing in Makhan Junction on the Bangalore Road.
Officials of the corporation conducted bhoomi-puja on Friday for the construction of a slaughterhouse at Thiruvalluvar Nagar, in Kangeyanallur, at a cost of Rs 50 lakh. The officials said, the slaughterhouse would be opened for public use within four months of its construction.
Commissioner P Janaki Raveendran said, the Corporation had issued the work order for the construction of the second slaughter house at Sadhupperi Road at a cost of Rs 50 lakh.
The corporation took cognizance of the practice of the illegal slaughter of animals that was being carried out on the Palar river bed in Katpadi.The corporation issued notice to 30 meat shop owners who were found to be involved in illegal slaughter of animals.
Following this, the members of the Maattu Iraichi Viyabarigal Nala Sangam appealed to the local body to issue licences for their shops. They also noted that the then Vellore municipality had designated a place for slaughtering of cows 17 years ago, which is next to the present goat slaughter unit in Makhan Junction. But, a veterinary hospital had been constructed at that spot, leaving no space for a slaughterhouse for cows.
President of the sangam V S Babu said around 81 shops were involved in the slaughter and sale of meat in the city. After the notice from the local body was received, the shop owners began purchasing meat from other parts of the districts for sale in Vellore.
Mayor P Karthiyayini said, the possibility of allocating one of the two new slaughterhouses for slaughtering cows would be studied and decided.