Construction of slaughterhouse

 JMC amends its tender, creates confusion for contractors

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, July 23: While establishment of modern slaughterhouse at Jagti has been facing constant delay, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has amended its tender notice which could further create confusion among the contractors bidding for the project.

JMC has issued tender on April 4, but today corporation has amended the tender notice and has  incorporated new terms and conditions for the construction of slaughterhouse. 

The total project cost is Rs 20 crore, off which for the first phase, Rs 1.53 crore have been released by Central Government while another Rs 1.50 crore have been released by state government, but so far the groundwork has not been started mainly because, corporation delayed the issuance of  tenders.

At present the slaughter houses run from residential localities of Dogra hall and Gujjar Nagar. The two slaughterhouses, constructed in 1947 in these two residential colonies, are source of inconvenience for residents of these colonies.

Even the residents are eagerly waiting for the shifting of the slaughterhouse and said that people are facing a big health threat. Ravi Kumar, a resident of Dogra Hall, said, “During summer, foul smell coming out from the slaughterhouse spreads everywhere, thus making the life miserable for us. It should be shifted immediately”.

Expressing annoyance against the Municipal Corporation, an official said that such changes creates confusion among the companies coming forward to construct it.

“Just after one month the corporation woke from sleep and decided to change some of the terms and conditions. Why they waited for such a long period, when many of the companies had submitted their bids”, official said.

The shifting of primitive slaughterhouses from the residential areas to the outskirts of the city has faced years of delays. The project was first taken up about 30 years back, but due to lack of funds it saw a long delay.

Joint Commissioner JMC Babu Ram said that corporation has made some amendments but it will not affect the project.

“There are some minor changes in our tender. Many companies are coming forward after the issuance of tender and we hope to start work soon", Ram said.