The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to set up animal incinerators at three crematoriums in Mahalaxmi, Deonar and Malad.
The incinerators, which run on compressed natural gas and cost up to ₹2 crore each, are expected to be set up by next year. The incinerators will be built on a private public partnership and tenders will be floated in June.
The city has over 300 animal clinics, but only one animal crematorium at Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals in Parel. The Kora Kendra, run by the Khadi Village Industries Commission in Borivali, picks up and buries cattle free of cost.
Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta decided to set up the incinerators after taking into account the rising number of pets in the city. The 2012 pet census data shows that the city is home to 33,572 dogs. The 2014 census reveals that there are 95,172 stray dogs and 69,239 of them have been sterilised. The BMC runs an independent pet clinic in Khar.
