Carcass plant runs losses: MC asked to pay power bills, salaries

Ludhiana: The carcass utilisation plant constructed in Noorpur village for disposal of dead animals has become a major challenge for the civic authorities over two years, as they are unable to bring it to use despite several efforts.
Besides, the contractor who was given the plant for operation and maintenance has also been asking the municipal corporation to pay its electricity bill and workers’ salaries as he claims to have faced losses. Meanwhile, the civic body has been reportedly issuing a letter to the police every week, asking for force to make this plant functional.
Sources revealed that the matter is in the knowledge of principal secretary-level officer, and a request letter has been issued to the office of director general of police seeking intervention in bringing this plant into use as it has now turned into a white elephant. The officials had also tried to get help from MLA Jeevan Singh Sangowal to convince the people for allowing the plant to operate, but the villagers did not agree.
The MC had constructed this carcass utilisation plant by spending Rs 8 crore so dead animals could be disposed of properly. The plant was supposed to start in July 2021 with a formal inauguration, but the villagers had then protested at the site against the likelihood of foul smell and dead bodies in the area.
MC commissioner Shena Aggarwal has been trying to start this plant for almost a year now, but the protest has become a major roadblock.
Sources also revealed that a meeting of board of directors of Smart City Mission was recently held where various projects were reviewed. In that meeting as well, the issue of this plant was taken up and the principal secretary had taken a strong note that the plant could not be made functional even after spending a huge amount.
Notably, this plant was constructed on the directions of the National Green Tribunal, because at present the dead animals are being disposed of manually on the banks of Satluj river.
The ‘hadda rodi’ was polluting the water body, taking note of which, the tribunal had directed the MC to build this plant here.