Municipal authorities in Haridwar are preparing for a major policy shift as the city prepares for the Kumbh of 2027. A proposal expected to be tabled in the next board meeting seeks to ban the sale of raw meat across municipal boundaries and shift such businesses to Sarai village on the outskirts of the city.
The plan aims to improve sanitation standards and address the growing problem of stray dogs in the city. Meat shops are said to have contributed to hygiene challenges and increased stray animal activity, Times Of India Quoted from civil authorities.
Haryana takes strict action against unlicensed outlets
Meanwhile, in Haryana, the state Urban Local Bodies Directorate has issued strict directions to authorities in all 22 districts. The focus is on identifying and shutting down unlicensed meat shops through intensive inspection drives, HT reported earlier.
Provincial administrations have been given a clear deadline, with instructions to report on action taken within a week.
Read also | Gurugram authorities are inspecting meat shops after the Haryana government ordered immediate closure of unlicensed outlets
The guidance also noted concerns about the location of these establishments, saying: “It has also been noted with concern that some of these establishments operate in close proximity to religious places and other public areas, creating a public nuisance, sanitation concerns, and inconvenience to the general public.”
Ground work begins in Gurugram
Implementation is already underway in Gurugram, where teams from the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), supported by local police, have begun inspections around sensitive areas such as temples, schools and colleges.
An MCG official said searches were conducted in areas including Sohna Road and Sectors 46, 9, 10A and 53, where most of the meat shops were found closed. “Regular inspections are being conducted to ensure that no meat shops remain open in close proximity to religious sites and near educational institutes due to concerns raised by residents,” MCG chief medical officer Ashish Singla said.
