Tripura HC raps AMC over delay in slaughter house project, seeks monthly report
The Tripura High Court has expressed concern over delays in the construction of a proposed slaughter house in Agartala and directed the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) to place on record its correspondence with the state government regarding release of funds.
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by advocate Ankan Tilak Paul, the High Court division bench comprising Chief Justice MS Ramchandra Rao and Justice Biswajit Palit noted that although a work order for civil construction was issued on June 11, 2025 to a contractor, possession of the site was handed over only on February 1, 2026.
The court also observed that no timeline for completion of the project was indicated in the affidavit filed by the AMC Commissioner.
Referring to its earlier order dated February 22, 2022 directing the setting up of an abattoir, the court said the delay in construction was a serious matter and required expeditious completion.
The court directed the AMC Commissioner to file an affidavit, along with annexures, placing on record all correspondence with the state government on fund release before the next date of hearing.
During the hearing, the petitioner-in-person submitted that several unauthorised meat sellers and slaughter houses were still operating in parts of Agartala, including Abhoynagar and Bhagaban Thakur Chowmuhani, and alleged lack of action by civic authorities.
Taking note of the submission, the court directed the Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), West Tripura, to coordinate with the AMC and submit monthly reports on identification of such unauthorised operators and action taken against them.
The DLSA was also asked to include details of garbage disposal arising from slaughter houses, including temporary facilities referred to in the AMC’s affidavit.
“The Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), West Tripura shall coordinate with the AMC, and file monthly reports before this Court on the identification of such persons, and the action if any, taken by the AMC against them. The Secretary, DLSA, West Tripura shall also mention in his monthly reports about the disposal of garbage generated on account of the setting up of the slaughter houses, including the temporary slaughter houses mentioned in paragraph 9 of the affidavit filed by the Commissioner of the AMC,” the court order reads.
The court further directed the District Magistrate and Collector of West Tripura, in coordination with the Superintendent of Police, to assist the AMC in implementing its earlier directions.
The AMC was instructed to regularly monitor temporary slaughter houses and unlicensed meat vendors, ensure hygiene at such sites and proper waste disposal, if necessary with assistance from the Tripura State Pollution Control Board.
“The second respondent in the PIL i.e. the District Magistrate & Collector, West Tripura District, Agartala in coordination with the Superintendent of Police, West Tripura, shall assist the AMC in every way possible for implementation of the directions contained in the Order dt.22.02.2022 passed in this PIL. The AMC shall ensure regular monitoring of activities of the temporary slaughter houses and unlicensed meat vendors, and ensure not only hygiene at the place where these activities are done, but also proper waste disposal, if necessary by taking the assistance of the Tripura State Pollution Control Board,” the order added.
The court also directed that copies of the order be communicated to the DLSA, district administration, police and the pollution control board. The AMC Commissioner has been asked to file monthly action taken reports.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on June 16, 2026.
