Haridwar Municipal Corporation Approves Relocation of Meat Shops Ahead of Religious Events

Relocation of Meat Shops in Haridwar

The Haridwar Municipal Corporation has sanctioned a plan to move approximately 56 raw meat shops from the Jwalapur area to the Sarai region, located outside the municipal limits. This decision aims to facilitate major religious events such as the Kumbh Mela and Kanwar Yatra, along with other spiritual gatherings. Nandan Kumar, the Municipal Commissioner of Haridwar, stated that the board has passed an order to prohibit the sale of raw meat within the municipal area. Amendments to the existing bylaws were made, and the new regulations were presented to the board.

Previously, certain areas, including Jwalapur, were exempt from this ban. However, the restriction has now been extended to cover the entire municipal area, necessitating the relocation of all meat shops. Many meat traders, who have operated from their current locations for years, have strongly opposed this relocation plan. They argue that the proposed site is far from the city and surrounded by unsanitary conditions, including proximity to a crematorium, which they believe could lead to significant financial losses.

One shop owner expressed concerns that customers would have to pay for transportation, which rickshaw drivers might refuse due to traffic issues in the area. The nearby crematorium poses additional challenges, as such shops should not be located close to such sites. An application regarding this matter has also been submitted to the District Magistrate. Another shopkeeper echoed these worries about the location near the crematorium, highlighting that the municipal corporation had previously assured that meat shops would be situated away from temples, mosques, gurdwaras, and cremation grounds. The wall of the crematorium is adjacent to the proposed new meat shop area, indicating a lack of adherence to their own regulations. They have also called for better management of various types of meat.