ISLAMABAD: The proposed and much delayed slaughterhouse project will likely see an increase in price by over Rs1 billion as Capital Development Authority (CDA) failed to execute it.

As a result, butchers have been slaughtering animals in their houses or in open spaces without any certification.

Sources said according to the PC-I, the worth of the project was Rs1.9 billion, in accordance with rates of 2014. However, now, in the revised PC-I, scheduled rates of 2021 will be mentioned, which means that the cost of the project will cross Rs3 billion. During a meeting, the consultant of the project, National Engineering Services Pakistan (Nespak), was directed to finalise the revised PC-I within a week’s time as CDA will have to submit a report to the court in this regard.

Sources say revised PC-I will be made in accordance with rates of 2021

It is relevant to note here that this project has been discussed a lot in the past decade but practical work is yet to begin. Last year, CDA allocated funds for construction of the slaughterhouse in I-11/4 but the federal government decided that the project would be executed under public-private partnership (PPP) mode. After the bidding process, Nespak was hired as a consultant, which is preparing a business model for it.

CDA Director (Works) Tahir Mahmood told Dawn that consultant has been directed to finalise the revised PC-I in a week as CDA is required to submit a report in court. He said that the earlier PC-I was based on rates of 2014 and the revised one will be made on the basis of rates of 2021. CDA wants to start this project as soon as possible, he said.

Around a decade ago, the CDA had decided to build a state-of-the-art slaughterhouse but could not make any headway on it except changing the proposed location thrice. Finally, a 5-acre plot was allotted in I-11/4 where the proposed slaughterhouse will be set up. Many issues emerged as earlier it was a project of CDA, but after formation of the local government in 2015-16, the project was given to Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI). Last year, the project was given back to the CDA which got it approved from the Development Working Party.

Now, CDA is planning to execute it through its own funding. Last year, during a meeting, it revealed that the total area of the slaughterhouse was 8,000 square feet and the indoor area would process initially more than 15,000 animals per week. As many as 2,000 goats and 800 cows would be slaughtered at the premises per day.

Major components of the premises include a freezing room, cold storage, deboning area, packing room, dispatch area, area for keeping animals, checking and inspection portion, chilling rooms, administrative rooms, parking, tubewell and waste treatment areas. Participants of the meeting were also informed that facilities like grazing areas, provision of water and other allied facilities for the animals would also be provided.

When contacted, All-Pakistan Jamiatul Quresh Meat Welfare Association President Khurshid Qureshi said that CDA is not sincere with this project. He said that initially a decade ago, the cost of the project was around Rs500 million, but CDA failed to execute it. “Once again, we are requesting CDA to pay heed towards this project in the greater interest of residents of Islamabad,” he added.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2022