Over Rs 22-cr abattoir project a non-starter

SHILLONG: Despite spending over Rs 22.88 crore, the abattoir project at Mawiong is lying idle for the last two years.
In the past, while lack of trained manpower was cited as the reason for the delay, as per the recent inputs from the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, some more constructions are required before commissioning the project.
Though power and water supply have been provided, there is a need to construct the dormitory to accommodate over 50 workers and stockyard for keeping cows, goats and pigs.
The plan is to slaughter 240 cows, 160 each pigs and goats daily.
An official source said on Monday the department had sent a proposal of Rs 2 crore to construct the dormitory as no provision was made in this regard when the project was conceptualised.
The department also placed before the Government a proposal for a revolving fund of Rs 3 crore to be used as working capital to operate the abattoir as the expenditure  for power supply alone will come to Rs 2 lakh per month.
Three suggestions were also put forward to the Government, either to allow the department to run the abattoir or to go for PPP mode and the third option is to lease out the work to an operator.
Meanwhile, training for the butchers will be carried out by the firm, Rapsang Group of Companies, Shillong, which constructed the abattoir, in collaboration with Real Growth Company, Chennai. The department has already organised an exposure trip for butchers outside the State.
The source added that the department is planning to carry out a trial run for six months and it also wants to float an expression of interest for operating the abattoir.