Does the abattoir at Deonar have the necessary permission to operate from the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bombay high court asked the the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation recently.
Does the abattoir at Deonar have the necessary permission to operate from the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bombay high court asked the the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation recently.
A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice A K Menon raised this query after the Union Government informed the court that it had never given approval to anyone to carry out the business of slaughtering or sale of animals within 10-kilometer radius of the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. The HC is hearing a public interest litigations on the matter.
According to the Centre, section 91 of the Indian Aircraft Act, which was amended in 2009, says that slaughtering of animals or dumping the carcasses in the vicinity of airports is a cognizable offence. It says the activity attracts birds and may result in the winged creatures coming in the path of planes.
Advocate Anil Sakhare, who represented the BMC, said, "The abattoir has been functioning since 1973 after it shifted from its original location in Bandra. Records will have to be checked before stating whether an NOC from the DGCA has been obtained or not." The court asked the civic body to give its reply by April 8.
Counsel S U Kamdar appearing for one of the petitioners argued that the BMC was not taking proper action in cancelling the licences of illegal slaughterhouses within the 10-km radius and was only imposing fines on offenders.
Countering Kamdar, Sakhare said, "Regular action is being taken. Since 1991 no fresh licences have been issued to any slaughterhouse. It is only during Bakri-Eid and another Hindu festival that slaughtering is allowed for a temporary period, but with prior permission."
Considering that dumping and illegal slaughtering within 10-kilometer radius of the airport is a cognizable offence, the court said that all statutory authorities were under obligation to take action under the law. The police stations concerned will also have to take necessary steps. It directed the municipal commissioner to issue appropriate directions to the officers concerned.
According to data available with the air traffic control, 65 cases of bird hits were reported till August during 2013-14 as against 52 cases during 2012-13.
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